A newly developed high power solid state switch might have enabled a propellantless propulsion system (PPS), based on the Lenz’s Law interactions of a very rapidly pulsed magnet. Although only limited propulsion would be provided with each pulse, and then only during the 100-nanosecond ramp-up of the pulse, the newly developed switch produces 400,000 high power pulses per second. A PPS of this type would consist of an electrical power supply, the switch, and a solenoid with a plate on one end to produce an asymmetry in the magnetic field. Other applications might include propulsion with reduced thermal and acoustical signatures, and a means to dampen inertia.
A possible propellantless propulsion system
Space Technology and Applications International Forum - 2001 ; 2001 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 552 , 1 ; 976-978
2001-02-02
3 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
A Possible Propellantless Propulsion System
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2001
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