Topic
Statite
About: Statite is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4 publications have been published within this topic receiving 112 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a new type of space vehicle, the statite, which is a spacecraft that does not orbit and uses a solar sail propulsion system to maintain itself in a desired nonorbiting static equilibrium position adjacent to the Earth by balancing light pressure force against gravitational force.
Abstract: This paper describes a proposed new type of space vehicle, the statite—a spacecraft that does not orbit. The statite would use a solar sail propulsion system to maintain itself in a desired nonorbiting static equilibrium position adjacent to the Earth by balancing light pressure force against gravitational force. In most versions of the system, the statite would be offset from the polar axis toward the dark side of the Earth where it would be continuously viewable from either the northern or southern hemisphere. The statite would stay fixed at a point above the dark side while the Earth rotated beneath it. To a viewer on the Earth, the statite would revolve about the pole once every 24-h solar day. The typical distance of a statite from the center of the Earth would be 30-250 Earth radii. The round-trip radio delay time for 100 Earth radii is 4.2 s, making the statite more suitable for broadcast, data, FAX, and weather services than for two-way telephone conversations.
97 citations
Patent•
9 Jan 1989
TL;DR: An artificial space object capable of operating usefully adjacent to, but not in orbit about, a celestial body such as the Earth, comprising: payload means for providing useful services from a position in space adjacent to the Earth; light pressure propulsion means for intercepting light pressure and directing the resulting force to oppose the gravitational force between the Earth and the space object; and attachment means for attaching the propulsion system to the payload, whereby the force generated by a propulsion system may be transmitted to payload as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An artificial space object capable of operating usefully adjacent to, but not in orbit about, a celestial body such as the Earth, comprising: payload means for providing useful services from a position in space adjacent to the Earth, light pressure propulsion means for intercepting light pressure and directing the resulting force to oppose the gravitational force between the Earth and the space object; and attachment means for attaching the propulsion system to the payload, whereby the force generated by the propulsion system may be transmitted to payload. The invention is designated a "Statite", i.e. a useful space payload maintained by light pressure in a position adjacent to the surface of a celestial body, but not in orbit around it. The propulsion system may be a solar sail or it may be a solar photon thruster. The useful payload may be the space segment of a communications, broadcasting, remote sensing, or any other useful space system. The invention also teaches several methods of operating a Statite including polar and near polar positioning; solar orbital positioning; and halo orbit positioning.
16 citations
Patent•
8 Jan 1990
TL;DR: An artificial space object capable of operating usefully adjacent to, but not in orbit about, a celestial body such as the Earth, comprising payload means for providing useful services from a position in space adjacent to Earth, light pressure propulsion means (1) for intercepting light pressure and directing the resulting force (Fp) to oppose the gravitational force between the Earth and the space object; and attachment means for attaching the propulsion system to the payload, whereby the force generated by propulsion system may be transmitted to payload.
Abstract: An artificial space object capable of operating usefully adjacent to, but not in orbit about, a celestial body such as the Earth, comprising: payload means for providing useful services from a position in space adjacent to the Earth, light pressure propulsion means (1) for intercepting light pressure and directing the resulting force (Fp) to oppose the gravitational force (Fg) between the Earth and the space object; and attachment means for attaching the propulsion system to the payload, whereby the force generated by the propulsion system may be transmitted to payload The invention is designated a ''Statite'', ie a useful space payload maintained by light pressure in a position adjacent to the surface of a celestial body, but not in orbit around it The propulsion system may be a solar sail (1) or it may be a solar photon thruster The useful payload may be the space segment of a communications, broadcasting, remote sensing, or any other useful space system The invention also teaches several methods of operating a Statite including polar and near polar positioning; solar orbital positioning; and halo orbit positioning
7 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a dynamic orbital slingshot in anticipation of Interstellar Objects (ISOs) passing through our solar system using the "statite" or static-satelite concept.
Abstract: Using the "statite," or static-satelite, concept -- an artificial satellite capable of hovering in place using a solar sail -- this work proposes to create a dynamic orbital slingshot in anticipation of Interstellar Objects (ISOs) passing through our solar system. The existence of these ISOs offers a unique scientific opportunity to answer fundamental scientific questions about the origin of solar system volatiles, the compositions of exo-solar systems, and the transfer rates of material between solar systems. However, due to their high heliocentric velocities and relatively short lead time, it may be extremely difficult to visit ISOs with current satellite propulsion systems. This work investigates the statite concept as applied to ISO missions and demonstrates potential configurations for optimal ISO flyby and rendezvous missions.
5 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |