Magnetic sails and interplanetary travel

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5649237

Zubrin, R M; Andrews, D G

A new concept, the magnetic sail, or 'magsail' is proposed which propels spacecraft by using the magnetic field generated by a loop of superconducting cable to deflect interplanetary or interstellar plasma winds. The performance of such a device is evaluated using both a plasma particle model and a fluid model, and the results of a series of investigations are presented. It is found that a magsail sailing on the solar wind at a radius of one astronautical unit can attain accelerations on the order of 0.01 m/sec squared, much greater than that available from a conventional solar lightsail, and also greater than the acceleration due to the sun's gravitational attraction. A net tangential force, or 'lift' can also be generated. Lift to drag ratios of about 0.3 appear attainable. Equations are derived whereby orbital transfers using magsail propulsion can be calculated analytically.

• OSTI ID: 5649237
• Report Number(s): AIAA-Paper--89-2441; CONF-8907118--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
DESIGN
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
ORBITS
PLASMA
PROPULSION
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
SAILS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SPACE
SPACE VEHICLES
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR WINDS
SUPERCONDUCTORS
VEHICLES