Microgravity in low earth orbit with continuous electric propulsion
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsDavid Degenhardt, Kyle Patrick Doyle, David Aaron Kornuta, Zachary Reid Tolley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for achieving pristine microgravity in low earth orbit (LEO) using electric propulsion. Long-duration, low thrust, electric thrusters provide a constant thrust force for a pristine microgravity environment within a given volume of a space vehicle experiencing drag forces in LEO. Large space vehicles in LEO configured to be pressurized for human habitation, for instance having a mass of at least 40,000 kg and an internal volume of at least 400 m3, can use the electric propulsion systems and methods to achieve a quasi-steady acceleration less than or equal to 1.0 μg for durations of 180 consecutive days or longer.
Claims20
A control system for controlling a space vehicle in low earth orbit, the control system comprising:
- a propellant storage tank configured to hold propellant;
- a plurality of solar electric propulsion thrusters configured to collectively generate a continuous thrust force in a forward direction using electrical power to accelerate the propellant for a time period;
- and
- one or more sensors configured to generate acceleration data related to acceleration of the space vehicle, wherein the control system is configured to adjust the thrust force of the plurality of solar electric propulsion thrusters based on the acceleration data so that the space vehicle maintains a microgravity environment for an entirety of the time period.
A method for controlling a space vehicle in low earth orbit, the method comprising:
- generating a thrust force on the space vehicle with a plurality of solar electric propulsion thrusters;
- receiving data related to acceleration of the space vehicle in response to generating the thrust force;
- analyzing the data related to acceleration of the space vehicle in response to receiving the data related to acceleration;
- adjusting the thrust force in response to analyzing the data related to the acceleration;
- and
- maintaining a microgravity environment within the space vehicle for an entirety of a time period in response to adjusting the thrust force.
A space vehicle configured to travel in low earth orbit, the space vehicle comprising:
- a habitable module having an internal volume of at least 400 m3 configured to be pressurized for human habitation;
- and
- a control system comprising a plurality of solar electric propulsion thrusters configured to collectively generate a continuous thrust force, wherein the control system is configured to adjust the thrust force of the plurality of solar electric propulsion thrusters such that a microgravity environment is maintained within the internal volume during an entirety of a time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.