Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Lorentz-Actuated Orbit Spacecraft May Ride Planetary Magnetic Fields
Dr. Mason Peck of Cornell University has received a grant from NASA to further study the possibility of Lorentz-Actuated Orbit spacecraft. Such spacecraft would achieve propulsion without propellants by using planetary magnetic fields.
According to Maxwell's equations, a charged particle moving relative to a magnetic field accelerates in a direction perpendicular to its velocity and the magnetic field. This Lorentz force is known to act on man-made satellites that carry an electrical charge and orbit within a planetary magnetic field.
The key to a usable LAO-orbit spacecraft is providing some sort of self-capacitative structure that can store a suitable electrical charge. The most promising scenario envisions a cylindrical mesh of fibers attached to a spacecraft. The mesh could be charged up using a coating of a radioactive isotope that itself emits charged particles. The Earth's magnetic field would push on the stocking, propelling the spacecraft to a higher orbit and even into interplanetary space. Dr. Peck has proposed a 100 kilogram spacecraft carrying a mesh cylinder with a radius of 41 meters and a length of 4 kilometers.
(Charged 'space stocking' moved by magnetic field)
Other scenarios include the creation of a multi-filament capacitor centering on the spacecraft. Uniformly distributed filaments would bend from Coulomb repulsion (keeps them separated) and Lorentz force (along the qvxB direction). Actual filaments would be virtually invisible and much longer. The highest performing conductive filament is the carbon nanotube.
(Alternative Self-Capacitative Architecture)
Apparently, a new science fiction book is available just this week that takes this idea and runs with it. GRADISIL, by Adam Roberts, makes considerable use of the idea of LAO-orbit spacecraft. According to a review by Starburst "the magnetic boost technologies he uses to put planes into orbit has the smack of an SF trope that’ll become a universal cliché in a few years." I don't think this force is strong enough to put planes into orbit, but it could move spacecraft between space stations in low earth orbit, which seems to be what happens in the novel.
I was unable to find a copy in bookstores, so I don't have a quote. I've pinged the author, but no joy thus far.
If you are interested in recherche spacecraft propulsion technologies, search no further:
- MagBeam Propulsion - To Mars And Back In 90 Days
- 'Antigravity' Propulsion System Proposed
- SMART-1's Ion Drive Not Science Fiction
- Earth To Mars In A Month With Painted Solar Sail
Thanks to reader Lou Anders for providing the story idea. For more information, see this interesting paper by Dr. Peck: Prospects and Challenges for Lorentz-Augmented Orbits. Also, see Spacecraft may surf the solar system on magnetic fields.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 3/15/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Spacecraft ")
Europa Clipper Plate Carries A Special Message
'...a universal cryptogram — yet it is one which can be interpreted by any intelligent creature on any planet in the Solar System!' -
China Wants To Build Mega Space Ships
'Don't do anything to endanger our shipping privileges...' - Frank Herbert, 1965.
Dream Of Building Your Own Rocket?
Fiorello Bodoni, you inspire all of us.
Used Dragon Cargo Spacecraft Will Fly Again
'the overstrained meters made the smaller craft skittish as a young horse...' - Robert Heinlein
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Brin's 1990 Novel Earth Still Full Of Predictions
'... making the point that their likenesses, every move they made, were being transmitted.'
'Whisper Mode' ala Blue Thunder Researched At Bristol
'Forest Lawn.'
Gaia - Why Stop With Just The Earth?
'But the stars are only atoms in larger space, and in that larger space the star-atoms could combine to form living matter, thinking matter, couldn't they?'
Microsoft VASA-1 Creates Personal Video From A Photo
'...to build up a video picture would require, say, ten million decisions every second. Mike, you're so fast I can't even think about it. But you aren't that fast.'
Splendid View Of Eclipse From Orbit Visualized And Repurposed By Arthur C. Clarke
'The area affected was five hundred kilometres across, and perfectly circular.'
Bespoke Environment Music From AIs
'Call 'em Winter Mute," said the other, making it two words.'
Goldene - A Two-Dimensional Sheet Of Gold One Atom Thick
'Hasan always pitched a Gauzy - a one-molecule-layer tent, opaque, feather-light, and very tough.'
SpaceX Wants A Moonbase Alpha
'And he had been sent with troops, supplies and bombs to command Russia's most trusted post, the Moonbase.'
Vast Apartment Living Will Get Even More Vast
'What is your population', I asked. 'About eighty millions.'
NASA Wants Self-Driving Or Remote-Controlled Vehicles For Lunar Astronauts
'THE autobus turned silently down the wide street of Hydropole. Robot-guided, insulated from noise and cold...'
Elon Musk Says Robotaxis Will Be Ready This August, 2024
'The car had no steering wheel, and no one drove!'
Moonwalkers AI-Controlled Electric Shoes
Now that's power walking that Hugo Gernsback would have approved.
Steve Jobs: 'Capture The Next Aristotle - With AI'
'It was disturbing to think of the Flatline as a construct...'
No Tips! Robotic Food Delivery In Phoenix
'...he rewired the delivery robot so that it would serve him midnight snacks.'
Electric Catamaran 'Explorer Eco 40m' Has 'Solar Skin'
'On went the electric-yacht faster and still faster.'
Orbital Mechanics, The Liftoff, The Turnover, The Retrograde Burn
'...the huge vessel had spun, with a sickening lurch, through a complete half-circle, the instant the power was reversed.'
