Propulsive fluid accumulator: Difference between revisions
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A '''Propulsive Fluid Accumulator''' is an artificial Earth [[satellite]] which collects and stores oxygen and other [[atmospheric gases]] for in-situ refuelling of high-thrust rockets. This eliminates the need to lift oxidiser to orbit and therefore brings significant cost benefits. |
A '''Propulsive Fluid Accumulator''' is an artificial Earth [[satellite]] which collects and stores oxygen and other [[atmospheric gases]] for in-situ refuelling of high-thrust rockets. This eliminates the need to lift oxidiser to orbit and therefore brings significant cost benefits. |
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Revision as of 22:42, 28 August 2011
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Propellant depot. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2011. |
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A Propulsive Fluid Accumulator is an artificial Earth satellite which collects and stores oxygen and other atmospheric gases for in-situ refuelling of high-thrust rockets. This eliminates the need to lift oxidiser to orbit and therefore brings significant cost benefits.
Propulsive Fluid Accumulator (PROFAC)
S.T. Demetriades[1] proposed a method of atmospheric gas accumulation by means of a satellite. Moving in low Earth orbit, at an altitude of around 120 km, Demetriades' proposed satellite extracts air from the fringes of the atmosphere, compresses and cools it, and extracts liquid oxygen. The remaining nitrogen is used as propellant for a nuclear-powered magnetohydrodynamic engine, which maintains the orbit, compensating for atmospheric drag.[2] This system was called “PROFAC” (PROpulsive Fluid ACcumulator).[3] There are, however, safety concerns with placing a nuclear reactor in low Earth orbit.
Propellant harvesting of atmospheric resources in orbit (PHARO)
Demetriades' proposal was further refined by Christopher Jones and others[4] In this proposal, multiple collection vehicles accumulate propellent gases at around 120 km altitude, later transferring them to a higher orbit. However, Jones' proposal does require a network of orbital power-beaming satellites, to avoid placing nuclear reactors in orbit.
Boeing proposal
Boeing has suggested a non-extractive propellant depot, or "space gas station," which accumulates material launched from the planet at low cost, allowing future lunar missions without the need for large launch vehicles like the Saturn V.[5]
References
- ^ Biographical info from Caltech
- ^ Demetriades, S.T. (1962). "The Use of Atmospheric and Extraterrestrial Resources in Space Propulsion Systems". Electric Propulsion Conference.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Demetrades, S.T. (1962). "Plasma Propulsion". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. 18 (10): 392. Bibcode:1962JBIS...18..392D.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Jones, C., Masse, D., Glass, C., Wilhite, A., and Walker, M. (2010), "PHARO: Propellant harvesting of atmospheric resources in orbit," IEEE Aerospace Conference.
- ^ Popular Mechanics: Space Gas Station Would Blast Huge Payloads to the Moon
External links
