Capture-ejector satellites
TL;DR: In this article, a satellite in the form of a large rotating rim which can be used to boost spacecraft from low-Earth orbit to higher orbits is described, where the rim rotates in the plane of its orbit such that the lower portion of the rim is traveling at suborbital velocity, while the upper portion is travelling at greater than orbital velocity.
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Abstract: A satellite in the form of a large rotating rim which can be used to boost spacecraft from low-Earth orbit to higher orbits is described. The rim rotates in the plane of its orbit such that the lower portion of the rim is traveling at suborbital velocity, while the upper portion is travelling at greater than orbital velocity. Ascending spacecraft or payloads arrive at the lowest portion of the rim at suborbital velocities, where the payloads are released on a trajectory for higher orbits; descending payloads employ the reverse procedure. Electric thrusters placed on the rim maintain rim rotational speed and altitude. From the standpoint of currently known materials, the capture-ejector concept may be useful for relatively small velocity increments.
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Citations
A Low-Cost Launch Assistance System for Orbital Launch Vehicles
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed an alternative technologically feasible non-rocket launch assistance system based on a combination of approaches: air launch, high-altitude balloon, and tethered LAS.
Transportation using spinning tethers with emphasis on phasing and plane change
David G. Henderson
- 01 Jan 1989
TL;DR: In this article, the potential uses of spinning tethers as components in a transportation system was studied and additional degrees of freedom in the selection of transfer orbits as well as phasing control were introduced by allowing both the spin rate of the tethers to be controllable and by allowing the ejection and capture points to be anywhere along the tether length.
References
The orbital tower: A spacecraft launcher using the Earth's rotational energy
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the theoretical possibility of constructing a tower to connect a geostationary satellite to the ground by overcoming the three problems of buckling, strength, and dynamic stability.