Swarm Satellite Applications of Pulsed High Energy Solenoids

Abstract

Using dense swarms of satellites fitted with pulsed high energy solenoids in high earth orbit is a new use case for both technologies. In combination, the swarm satellite application of pulsed high energy solenoids creates a new propulsion method, multi vector additive propulsion. This new use case and propulsion method can be used to construct a system capable of accelerating and deccelerating large masses between planetary orbits. By using a coordinated electromagnetic pulse upwards through a layered swarm of satellites, an electromotive spring is formed. When the pulse wavefront reaches a flat metal plate at the top of the square pyramid swarm formation, it is launched outwards. Using this combination of known technologies in a new way, any object could be placed in shipping containers for freight transport between mass producible swarms in any other planetary orbit.

Pulsed High Energy Solenoids

Particle accelerators have long used superconductive components to achieve the required energy densities in size constrained underground tunnels. Initially many used multiple permanently active electromagnets to create a controlled turning path for particle beams but with developments across the past two decades this has changed. Development of pulsed high energy solenoids has allowed a series of timely pulses to turn the particle beams direction and reduces accelerator energy costs. This development is spearheaded by several high magnetic field research centres globally that are striving to achieve higher strength magnetic fields and pulse lengths.

The rapid progress in pulsed high magnetic field research in the last ten years was driven by iterations of superconductive multicoil solenoid design and capacitor electrochemistry. With the advent of widespread lithium batteries and the technology scaling towards electric vehicles, there is an opportunity for mass producible compact multicoil solenoid designs with inexpensive power systems. The use of superconductive materials in solenoids allows energy densities several thousand times greater than regular resistance conductive materials. Utilising the higher energy density limit then allows smaller solenoids scaled to the peak capacity of a size limited capacitor power system.

The opposing operational requirements of superconductors, which must be kept cold and remove heat, can be used to balance the needs of energy storage components which must be kept warm. Low cost energy storage solutions operate within a reasonable range of room temperature (~+10–55 C)and rapidly lose efficiency in low temperature conditions (<10 C). Development of cold temperature (-50 C) capacitor electrochemistry is relatively recent and has not yet seen scaled production. The retention of capacity at cold temperatures allows a wider operational window and reduces the issues of thermal fluctuation in a satellites orbital setting.

Low temperature capacitor research is an ideal technology for space however due to the research grade nature of the electrochemistries and prevalence of lithium-ion batteries in satellites, a less optimal design can be used to achieve the required purpose. This choice is seen in several key components, establishing design requirements and low bound values for calculation of Mk.0 system operation. If operation is proven with existing mass produced components, research grade materials can be used to estimate the system capacity of a later Mk.2 design.

By taking the best of both worlds, design improvement from current research and mass produced components from research 5-10 years previous, a Mk.0 system design at an effective cost point can be achieved. Swarm satellite solutions to interorbital freight transport can be delivered within five years and given the reducing research to product cycle, have the potential to rapidly improve capability over the coming decade. The same explosive product improvement cycle following a singular technology demonstration was seen in the rapid reduction of orbital entry costs achieved by the private space industries reusable rockets in the 2010’s.

Multivector Additive Propulsion

Induction is used to propel rollercoasters, cook meals and forge steel by using electricity to energise a coil of wire. The energised coil creates an electromagnetic field that generates a reactionary field in other uncharged conductive objects within range. By energising a superconductive solenoid rather than a simple copper coil there are far less electrical losses to resistance so the field/counterfield repulsion effect can be used at peak efficiency. This is the same principle used in maglev trains applied in a swarm of satellites as a pyramid of electromagnets rather than side by side in a linear rail assembly. By mounting the solenoid in a satellite, the native temperature of the vacuum in high orbit can be used to reduce the cooling requirements, again resulting in a net increase of electrical system efficiency.

Application of the maglev effect is demonstrated to highschool students using the Ring Launcher experiment, propelling a small steel ring upwards from its original position sitting on top of a solenoid. With detailed analysis, design and construction the simple Ring Launcher could predictably launch its small payload along a set trajectory repeatedly. This effect is replicated in a layered satellite swarm setting to mimic the coils of a spring, or a much larger distributed solenoid when considering the system as a whole. Application of this model with pulsed high energy solenoids mounted in satellites using drone swarm algorithms with orbital launch vector mechanics results in a targetable system that can propel any cargo.

The field interaction of a square grid of z-oriented satellites creates a focal point and four hemisphere force distribution, effectively mimicking a virtual maglev plate. By placing an uncharged object at the focal point, the resulting combination of four imparted field interaction vectors gives a singular vertical propulsion vector. Adjustment of the spatial position and pulse profile of each base satellite then gives granular control of the resulting propulsion vector. When applied in multiple levels of a layered square pyramid, the (generalised) hemispherical force distribution is equalised across the area of the focal points in the layer above. Application of this effect again to the next layer results in a smaller focal area, iterating through layers until a final top mounted cargo shipping plate is propelled on the resultant vector. By placing freight in shipping containers on a simple cargo plate, any object can take advantage of the maglev effect and be transported to Mars or beyond.

Multivector additive propulsion is a brand new propulsion method enabled by the distributed nature of the swarm. This is not possible in single vehicle thrust designs. Application of the procedure in reverse (with several extra controls) will be used to safely decelerate the payload at the destination swarm. Using this propulsion method and mass producible design to build an interorbital transport network will rapidly expand humanities reach and provide the necessary support infrastructure for a multiplanetary species.

Distributed Induction Asteroid Mining

Once several swarm routes become operational, the collective mass deceleration capacity allows a coordinated effort to catch an incoming ferromagnetic asteroid. With mass production of swarm satellites, this allows exploratory geologists to analyse asteroids for mineral processing in orbit.

Alteration of the pulse profile from intense burst to sustained output allows the swarm to act as a distributed induction furnace in much the same way as it acted as a distributed maglev rail. Adjustment of the pulse transformer output and a swarm large enough to surround the asteroid are the two key requirements needed to effectively mine a ferromagnetic asteroid. Given the limitation of heat loss by radiation in space, the swarm needs to put in more energy than the metallic components are able to lose through available surface area. The slowly ramping thermal expansion of metallic components can then be magnetically directed to induce fracturing and separation of constituents before mineral extraction. An extension of the swarm architecture beside the asteroid can then be used as a distributed magnetic containment chamber for liquid iron extruded in a magnetodirectional pipeline. The extruded iron pipeline will be bounded by vacuum temperatures with a surface defined by the interaction of surficial induction and the heat loss radiation rate. With an appropriate configuration of magnetic and physical controls, liquid iron can then be further extruded into simple shapes such as I-beams.

Orbital manufacturing is the end stage goal of this system, by delivering freight transport first then asteroid mining services afterwards, all the components are in place for humanity to truly reach for the stars.

Conclusion

Reaching Mars is achievable today with our current technology, the barrier to entry is simply cost. Just as reusable rocket systems are drastically reducing the cost of orbital entry, so too will mass produced reusable interorbital transport networks drive down the cost of crossing the void. By building the railroad of the modern era, H. Industries will foster the next stage of extraterrestrial pioneering innovation. #OccupyMars

M. J. Wegener

https://h-industries.io

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