U.S. patent number 3,891,160 [Application Number 05/343,197] was granted by the patent office on 1975-06-24 for microwave powered reusable orbiting space tug.
Invention is credited to Michael A. Minovitch.
United States Patent |
3,891,160 |
Minovitch |
June 24, 1975 |
Microwave powered reusable orbiting space tug
Abstract
This space vehicle is used as a "tugboat" for propelling other
space vehicles. The tug has a pair of propulsion nozzles to which a
propulsion fluid is fed by way of an absorption chamber. A large
microwave antenna is mounted on the space tug for receiving and
concentrating a microwave beam which may come from the earth's
surface. The nozzles and antenna are pivotable relative to each
other. Large but short wave guides lead from the feed horn of the
antenna through the pivot trunnions for conveying the concentrated
microwave beam to the absorption chambers. The beam, which to this
point has travelled through a vacuum, is nearly quantitively
absorbed by the propulsion fluid which is thereby heated to a
plasma. The plasma is directed to the propulsion nozzle by a
magnetic field. A single component propulsion fluid is contained in
replaceable tanks and energy is imparted to the fluid by way of the
microwave beam rather than by chemical reaction. A phased array of
antennas permits focusing at high orbital altitudes.
Inventors: |
Minovitch; Michael A. (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Family
ID: |
23345090 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/343,197 |
Filed: |
March 21, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
244/171.1;
244/62; 244/171.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64G
1/409 (20130101); B64G 1/007 (20130101); B64G
1/402 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B64G
1/22 (20060101); B64G 1/40 (20060101); B64G
1/00 (20060101); B64g 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;244/1SS,1SA,1SB,62,73R,74 ;60/203,202 ;318/16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Alexander, George, "Major Space Role Seen for Plasma Engine,"
Aviation Week and Space Technology, Nov. 27, 1961, pp.
75-76..
|
Primary Examiner: Blix; Trygve M.
Assistant Examiner: Kelmachter; Barry L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christie, Parker & Hale
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A microwave powered reusable space tug comprising:
a structural beam;
means on one end of the structural beam for engaging and propelling
another space vehicle;
propulsion nozzle means on the structural beam for propelling the
tug;
an absorption chamber connected to the nozzle means;
tank means on the structural beam for containing a propulsion
fluid;
means for conveying fluid from the tank means to the absorption
chamber;
a microwave antenna for receiving and concentrating a microwave
beam;
pivot means for interconnecting the antenna and the structural beam
for pivoting about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of
the beam and keeping the antenna pointed at the microwave beam
independently of the direction of the propulsion nozzles; and
wave guide means for conveying a concentrated microwave beam from
the antenna focus through the pivot means to the absorption chamber
for absorption by the propulsion fluid.
2. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 1 wherein the
antenna comprises a parabolic antenna dish and a feed horn; and
wherein the pivot axis extends through the center of mass of the
antenna and transverse to the focal axis of the antenna.
3. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 1 wherein the
absorption chamber comprises:
a dielectric housing;
means for injecting propulsion fluid into the dielectric housing;
and
a conductor coil around the housing for generating a magnetic field
within the housing.
4. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 3 wherein the
conductor coil comprises tubing and wherein the propulsion fluid is
passed through the tubing prior to injection into the absorption
chamber.
5. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 3 wherein the
dielectric housing includes a pressure resistant dielectric window
between the interior of the housing and the wave guide means.
6. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 3 wherein the
tug further comprises a rectenna mounted thereon for generating
electric power directly from a concentrated microwave beam.
7. A microwave powered space tug comprising:
a structural beam;
a propulsion nozzle on the beam;
a microwave absorption chamber connected to the nozzle;
means for injecting a propulsion fluid into the absorption
chamber;
a microwave antenna for receiving and concentrating a microwave
beam;
a pair of hollow trunnions for interconnecting the antenna and the
structural beam for pivoting about an axis transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the structural beam and to the focal axis of
the antenna; and
wave guide means for conveying a concentrated microwave beam from
the antenna through the hollow trunnions to the absorption chamber
for absorption by the propulsion fluid.
8. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 7 further
comprising:
means for replenishing fluid on the space tug while in space by
interchanging cryogenic liquid fuel tanks.
9. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 7 wherein the
absorption chamber comprises:
means for containing a plasma within the chamber and for directing
the plasma into the nozzle.
10. A microwave powered space tug as defined in claim 9 wherein the
means for containing and directing a plasma comprises:
electrically conductive coils surrounding the absorption
chamber;
means for passing a current through the coils for generating a
magnetic field within the chamber; and
means for circulating propulsion fluid through the coils prior to
injection into the chamber.
Description
BACKGROUND
In present space flight operations few, if any, components are
reusable, although a reusable space shuttle is in development.
Chemically powered rockets are used to boost payloads into earth
orbit and these payloads are often boosted into escape trajectories
by chemical propulsion. The escape trajectory boosters typically
are lost into space and are not reusable. Presently, all orbital
maneuvering is by chemical propulsion. Thus, the propulsion fluid
and energy for heating it are put into orbit by chemically
propelled boosters.
It is desirable to use a low molecular weight propulsion fluid such
as hydrogen for high impulse, however, in chemical boosters, the
hydrogen is typically combined with oxygen which has a
significantly greater density and molecular weight. Energy can be
supplied to an orbiting vehicle by an electro-magnetic beam, and
this high energy beam used for heating a single propellant
component, such as hydrogen, which can be used as the propulsion
fluid without any chemical reactions.
It has been proposed to use beamed microwave power for space
propulsion, thus, in a paper entitled "Microwave Powered Ferry
Vehicles" in spaceflight (June 1966), page 217, M. I. Willinski
proposes a microwave powered expendable upper stage vehicle with a
100 meter reflective dish and absorption of the focused microwave
energy on a carbon absorber. Hydrogen is heated by contact with
carbon absorber and fed to a gimballed nozzle for guiding the
vehicle. The large dish antenna is connected to the payload by a
system of wires and foam filled tubes. Microwave energy is beamed
to the space vehicle by a phased array of high power antennas on
the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,517 describes a microwave powered vehicle that
apparently is restricted to use within the earth's atmosphere. The
vehicle uses the atmosphere as the propellant and the highest
altitude mentioned is only 65,000 feet. U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,528
teaches a microwave engine for propulsion.
It is desirable to have a microwave powered space vehicle wherein
the orientation of the receiving antenna and the vehicle thrust
axis can be varied relative to each other. When this is done, the
trajectory of the space vehicle can be relatively independent of
the origin of the microwave beam. It is not necessary to orient the
entire vehicle in order to maintain the antenna pointed properly at
the ground station.
It is also desirable to have a microwave powered vehicle that can
remain in orbit for a prolonged period to serve as a booster for
other space vehicles. Such as "tugboat" in space can effect
substantial economies since the same vehicle can be used for a
number of missions.
BRIEF OF THE INVENTION
There is, therefore, provided in practice of this invention
according to a presently preferred embodiment, a microwave powered
space vehicle comprising a beam having means at one end for
engaging another space vehicle and at least one propulsion nozzle
mounted thereon. Propulsion fluid is fed from replaceable tanks to
an absorption chamber adjacent the nozzle. A microwave antenna for
receiving and concentrating a microwave beam is mounted for
pivoting about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the
beam. A short wave guide from the feed horn of the antenna conveys
a concentrated microwave beam through the pivot to the absorption
chamber for absorption by the propulsion fluid.
DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by
reference to the following detailed description of a presently
preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a space tug constructed according
to principles of this invention as it is powered by a phased array
of microwave antennas;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the microwave powered space
vehicle;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the central support structure of
the vehicle; and
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section through an absorption
chamber on the space vehicle.
DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a technique for providing
microwave power to an orbiting space vehicle. As illustrated in
this arrangement, a plurality of conventional microwave antennas 10
are provided on the surface of the earth 11. These microwave
antennas are in a large two-dimensional array and the microwave
power applied to the several antennas is phase controlled for
obtaining a focused microwave beam. Such phased arrays of microwave
antennas are well known for high power radar installations. See for
example, Theory and Analysis of Phased Array Antennas, John Wiley
and Sons, Inc. (1972); or R. C. Hansen Microwave Scanning Antennas,
Vol. III, Array Systems, Academic Press, (1966).
A phased array extending about 7 kilometers on the surface of the
earth, permits focusing of a 10 gigahertz microwave beam on a 500
meter diameter receiving antenna at any range out to about 60,000
kilometers. The fill ratio of the phased array of 1000 16-meter
dishes is about 1:190. If one is satisfied with a shorter range,
that is, if one applies power to the microwave powered vehicle when
it is relatively nearer the antennas, the base line of the phased
array can be reduced. See for example, "Microwave Power
Transmission from an Orbiting Solar Power Station," Journal of
Microwave Power (December, 1970). Further, by providing a phased
array of ground based antennas, very high power levels can be
achieved since each antenna can run at a reasonable power level. A
total power level of 500 megawatts is deemed suitable for
substantially any contemplated mission. With the antennas each
having a low power level, conventional components for microwave
generation and antenna pointing can be employed. Almost any desired
power level can be achieved by varying the power from each antenna
or using more or fewer ground antennas without changing the width
of the total antenna array. With the preferred sizes of phased
array and antenna dish, the vehicle will receive about 90 percent
of the transmitted power out to a range of about 60,000
kilometers.
The microwave beams 12 from the several antennas 10 are phase
locked so as to focus on the receiving antenna 13 of a microwave
powered space vehicle 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the space
vehicle 14 has a beam 17 linked at one end to another space vehicle
16 for boosting it to a different trajectory. The general mode of
operating the combined microwave powered space tug 14 and payload
16 is one of intermittently applying microwave power from the
ground based antennas to the space vehicle. Typically, this
microwave beam is applied as the vehicles approach periapsis and is
continued through periapsis until the vehicles are near enough the
horizon that the microwave antennas cannot properly focus on it.
Relatively low accelerations such as 0.1g or less are used for
minimizing distortion of the large vehicle structure.
With the long range provided by a long baseline phased antenna
array, it is not necessary that periapsis be in proximity to the
antenna array. Any reasonably close earth approach is satisfactory.
Typically, power is applied periodically during a relatively short
portion of certain orbits, separated by several complete orbits of
unpowered flight. As each increment of power is applied to the
combined vehicles, the apoapsis can be increased to reach higher
and higher altitudes. Orbital circularization at a high altitude
can then be obtained by applying power near apoapsis.
If an escape trajectory is desired, this can be imparted to the
boosted vehicle 16 and, before the microwave powered vehicle leaves
the range of the ground station, it is uncoupled from the boosted
vehicle, rotated 180.degree. so that its engines are pointed in the
opposite direction, and braked by application of microwave power to
a sufficient extent that it remains in earth orbit. It can then be
further braked and its orbital trajectory adjusted for refueling,
maintenance, or picking up another payload to be boosted.
A broad variety of such trajectories can be employed somewhat in
the same manner as set forth in AIAA Paper Number 72-1095, entitled
"Reactorless Nuclear Propulsion -- the Laser Rocket" by Michael A.
Minovitch at AIAA/SAE 8th Joint Propulsion Specialist Conference,
November 1972.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the microwave powered space vehicle 14 is
seen in perspective. The vehicle includes a lightweight structural
beam 17 connected to the structure of the microwave antenna. The
antenna comprises a large, lightweight parabolic dish 13 about 500
meters in diameter with a short conventional microwave feed horn 18
at the focus of the dish. The antenna is a lightweight structure
assembled or deployed in space. The parabolic dish reflector has a
rigid mast 19 extending aft from its convex side. A plurality of
rigid masts 20 extend from the concave side of the dish to the
central structure 21 supporting the feed horn 18. If desired, a
single mast can be used between the dish and central support
structure. A second rigid mast 22 extends beyond the support
structure 21 to mount guidance and navigation equipment, storage
batteries, thermionic converters, communications transmitters,
receivers and antennas, orientation propulsion rockets and the like
designated schematically as elements 45. If need be, some dead
weight may be provided at the end of the forward beam 22 for
counterbalancing the weight of the dish 13 so that the center of
mass of that portion of the vehicle rigidly connected to the dish
is at the central support structure 21. The masts 19, 20 and 22 are
connected to the antenna dish 13 by multiple guy cables which are
not illustrated in the drawing to minimize confusion. The guy
cables rigidify the beams and antenna and maintain them in tension
for stabilizing the entire structure. The mast may be single hollow
tubes or, if need be to enhance their buckling resistance, can be
in the form of open trusses. Those masts and guy cables on the
forward side of the antenna dish should in general, be made of
nonconductive material to avoid disturbance of the incoming or
reflected microwave beams. The general structure of such a large
parabolic microwave antenna stiffened by masts and guy cables is
shown and described by D. L. Pope, W. H. Hewitt, Jr., and J. G.
Petz in Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 9, No. 5, May 1972,
pp. 289 and 290, and as Paper Number 71-397 at the AAS-AIAA
Variable Geometry and Expandable Structures Conference, April
21-23, 1971, available from AIAA.
The central support structure 21 and adjacent elements are
illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3. The feed horn 18 is
rigidly mounted in the central structure 21 so that it is always
aligned with the parabolic antenna dish 13. A pair of wave guides
23 extend laterally from the central support structure and are
pivotally mounted relative thereto by a conventional hollow
trunnion 30. Rotating pivots for conveying microwave beams are
described in Radar System Fundamentals, NAVSHIPS 900,017, Navy
Department (1944). A short Y-shaped link 24 provides a structural
connection between the wave guides 23 and the beam 17. Short beams
25 extend in the opposite direction from the beam 17 and provide
structural support for fuel tanks 26. Preferably, the fuel tanks 26
are in the form of a cluster of replaceable tanks, one of which
(26a) is shown exploded from the cluster of tanks in FIG. 2. By
using replaceable tanks, many of the problems of fuel transfer in
vacuum and at high altitudes beyond the range of shuttle vehicles,
can be avoided.
The wave guides 23 lead to propulsion nozzles 27 by way of
absorption chambers 28 described in greater detail hereinafter.
It will be noted that the wave guides 23 with the propulsion
nozzles 27 are rigidly connected to the links 24 and beam 17 and
also the fuel tanks 26 by way of the short beams 25. This entire
rigid structure is free to pivot around the central support
structure 21 about an axis transverse to the mast 22, that is,
transverse to the focal axis of the antenna. It will be recalled
that the center of mass of the antenna system, including the masts
and the accessory equipment 45, is located at the central support
structure 21. The pivot axis of the wave guides 23 passes through
this center of mass. The thrust axes of the propulsion nozzles 27
are parallel to the beam 17 or they may be canted at a slight angle
outwardly relative to each other so that their integrated thrust is
along the beam 17.
During powered flight the longitudinal axis of the dish 13 must be
pointed at the transmitting antenna array on the ground. For
maximum efficiency the vehicle's thrust vector should be aligned
with the vehicle's instantaneous velocity vector. This is
accomplished by slowly varying the tilt angle .theta. and slowly
rotating the dish 13 about its longitudinal axis irrespective of
the vehicle's trajectory. The propulsive thrust during these
powered flight maneuvers is along the beam 17 and always passes
through the center of mass of the entire vehicle irrespective of
the payload mass, fuel load, or tilt angle .theta.. The thrust,
therefore, will never produce any unwanted torque on the vehicle.
It will be noted that the antenna is spaced along the vehicle axis
well away from other components so that there is minimum shielding
of the antenna by other portions of the vehicle even when pivoted
about a substantial angle relative to the vehicle axis. The thrust
axis and the antenna axis can pivot relative to each other through
angles .theta. of 30.degree. to 150.degree. or a total included
angle of 120.degree.. If a somewhat smaller angle is used, some
construction constraints can be relaxed.
Docking latches 29 of a conventional type are provided at the end
of the beam 17 for linking it to a payload to be boosted. (For
example, the other space vehicle 16). A plurality of conventional
chemical Vernier rockets (not shown) may be provided on the end of
the beam and on the parabolic dish rim for assisting in controlling
roll, pitch and yaw of the vehicle during space maneuvering. This
enables trajectory adjustments and roll control to keep the antenna
properly pointed as the vehicle is operated without undue
oscillating motions building up.
Hydrogen or nitrogen propellant or working fluid is stored
cryogenically in the replaceable propulsion tanks 26 and fixed
sheaths may be left on the vehicle to provide thermal insulation
and radiation protection. This latter is of appreciable importance
when the microwave beam irradiates the portion of the vehicle where
the hydrogen is stored, since a substantial thermal load may be
applied during that period. It will be apparent that since one
uniformly maintains the antenna pointing in the direction of the
transmitting array during irradiation, radiation reflectors may be
provided along that side for protecting parts of the vehicle
structure from irradiation by the microwave beam.
It will be noted that the beam 17 extending between the supporting
structure 21 and the payload 16 being boosted is in tension during
acceleration. This permits a fairly long beam to keep the payload
remote from the concentrated microwave beam irrespective of tilt
angle relative to the antenna. It also keeps the payload remote
from possible damaging effects from the rocket nozzle exhaust.
Rocket exhaust is at a sufficiently high velocity that little if
any impingement on the payload is encountered, particularly if the
nozzles are skewed outwardly a few degrees. Since the payload and
the fuel tanks swivel together and remain aligned with the thrust
axis of the combined propulsion nozzles, vehicle performance is not
dependent on a particular payload mass or propellant quantity. It
can be used for accelerating large or small payloads and can
operate with full or nearly empty propellant tanks without shift of
the center of mass except in a direction along the thrust axis.
If desired the microwave powered space tug can be used to "push" a
payload rather than pull it as in the preferred embodiment. In a
pushing embodiment the location of fuel tanks and payload are, in
effect, switched and a shorter beam to the payload is preferred to
prevent buckling. If desired the payload can be forward of the fuel
tanks without significant stability problems. With such an
arrangement a propulsion nozzle on the thrust axis can be used
without hazard of exhaust impingement on other structures.
When a microwave beam strikes the antenna dish 13, it is focused on
the conventional feed horn 18. This concentrated beam is collected
by the feed horn and directed into the circular wave guides 23
which carry the concentrated beam transverse to the focal axis of
the antenna. In this way the microwave beam is conducted through
the hollow trunnions between the central antenna structure 21 and
the laterally extending wave guides.
The circular wave guides are preferably operated in the TE-01 mode
since the surface current losses are low. See, for example, Radar
Electronic Fundamentals, NAVSHIPS 900,016, Navy Department (June
1944), Section 87, pages 368 to 370, in particular; or E. C.
Okress, Microwave Power Engineering, Vol. I, (1968) Chapter 3.
These surface currents yield a loss of about 0.003 db per meter in
the wave guide. Since very high powers are being transmitted
through the wave guides, forced cooling with the propulsion fluid
is desirable and the cryogenic propulsion fluid is thereby
pre-heated. The wave guides are preferably evacuated for low loss,
and this is simply done by venting them to the hard vacuum of
space. The circular wave guides are particularly advantageous for
transmitting the microwave beam through the hollow trunnions 30 of
the antenna. The wave guides are simply mounted along the trunnion
axis and no complicated mechanisms are required.
The microwave beams may be divided as desired in wave guides
external to the feed horn for leading to several absorption
chambers 28 if additional propulsion nozzles 27 are desired. It
will be recognized that the elements 23 identified in FIG. 3 as
wave guides are in actuality also structural members for carrying
the thrust of the propulsion system to the antenna portion of the
vehicle, and include propulsion fluid transfer lines as well as the
wave guides.
FIG. 4 illustrates in longitudinal cross-section one of the
absorption chambers 28 connected to one of the rocket nozzles 27. A
flared low reflection horn 34 connects the end of the circular wave
guide 33 to the end of the absorption chamber. A suitable
dielectric material such as beryllium oxide acts as a window 36 at
the output end of the transition horn 34. The dielectric window 36
passes the microwave beam and separates the propulsion fluid in the
absorption chamber 28 from the vacuum within the wave guide. See,
for example, Harvey, Microwave Power, page 254.
The absorption chamber is about 2 meters long and formed of a
dielectric material such as fused quartz. The chamber has a
cylindrical portion 37 along most of its length and a conical
portion 38 near its aft end where it is connected to the rocket
nozzle 27. The entire absorption chamber is surrounded by coils of
high conductivity copper tubing 39. The individual turns of tubing
around the absorption chamber are electrically insulated from each
other.
The working fluid or propellant is pumped through the tubing 39 and
is injected into the absorption chamber through a plurality of
orifices 41 around the forward end thereof. The working fluid then
flows along the length of the absorption chamber and out through
the nozzle 27 for propelling the vehicle. The microwave beam
entering the absorption chamber is absorbed by the gas in the
chamber. Since high energy levels are involved, the gas rapidly
becomes a plasma which is electrically conductive and therefore
highly absorbent of the microwave beam. Generation of such a plasma
may be initiated by seeding the hydrogen propellant with a readily
ionized material, such as cesium, where power is first applied.
A heavy electric current is passed through the propellant tubing 39
surrounding the absorption chamber. This current produces a
"magnetic bottle" which forces the plasma into an envelope as
indicated by the phantom lines 42 in FIG. 3.
The coils of tubing surrounding the cylindrical portion 37 of the
dielectric absorption chamber are of substantially uniform spacing,
and may be only one or two layers deep. In the conical portion 38
of the absorption chamber the coils gradually become more
concentrated so that the magnetic field intensity in the conical
portion of the absorption chamber is much higher. This increased
magnetic flux is due to a greater number of coils and also due to
the reduced cross section of the chamber. The increased magnetic
field tends to "pinch" the plasma within the absorption chamber and
direct the reduced cross section plasma through the throat of the
nozzle 27 for obtaining very high exhaust velocities.
By forcing the plasma away from the walls of the absorption
chamber, heating of the walls is substantially reduced. The walls
are also kept cool by the propellant flowing through the tubes 39.
It will be noted that with the copper tubes surrounding the
absorption chamber it is in effect electrically conductive so that
the microwave beam is entrapped therein. The highly absorbent
plasma within the chamber absorbs most of the microwave energy and
what little might escape appears as surface currents in the copper
tubing and its heat is absorbed by the flowing propellant.
Substantially quantitative absorption of the microwave energy and
conversion to thermal energy is thereby effected. About the only
losses occurring in such an arrangement are the minor reflections
back into the input wave guide from the window 36 and the plasma.
Although this absorption chamber is preferred, other structures for
converting microwave radiation into heat for the working fluid may
be used.
It turns out that about 92 percent of the power incident on the
antenna is available for propulsion, less whatever additional
losses may be encountered due to surface imperfections in the large
parabolic reflector. Some of the total energy appears as heat that
is absorbed by the propellant before it reaches the absorption
chamber.
Electrical power for the magnetic coils on the absorption chamber
is provided from storage batteries 45 at the end of the mast 22.
These batteries are recharged by microwave powered thermionic
generators that are energized during the powered flight periods.
The microwave radiation used to power these thermionic generators
is received by a second but much smaller parabolic antenna 46
mounted at the end of mast 22. The combined mass of these vehicle
components (although low) will contribute towards shortening the
length of the counter balancing torque arm 22. As an alternative to
microwave powered theremionic generators one can generate electric
power directly from the microwave beam by suitable rectennas
located on any suitable portions of the vehicle. The antenna 46 may
be a rectenna for converting some of the microwave beam directly
into electric current rather than going through the intermediate
thermal step of a thermionic generator. Rectennas have already
exceeded an operational efficiency of 80 percent at 2 gigahertz.
See, for example, "The Receiving Antenna and Microwave Power
Rectification" Journal of Microwave Power, page 279 (December
1970). This eliminates the necessity for having thermionic
generators. It will be noted that high electric currents are
available only when the antenna is irradiated by microwave
radiation. However, these are the only times that such heavy
currents are required and, during intermediate periods during
coast, power requirements can be satisfied by the on-board
batteries which are recharged during the periods of irradiation by
microwave beams.
In operation the reusable microwave powered space vehicle is
boosted into low earth orbit by a conventional chemical booster or
shuttle vehicle where it is assembled. Once assembled the microwave
powered vehicle stays in orbit around the earth. The working fluid
tanks can be provided by shuttle vehicle deliveries and these tanks
26 are placed in the mounting sheaths near the vehicle center of
mass. The propulsion fluid is then fed to the absorption chambers
28 as required when microwave power is supplied.
A chemical powered shuttle vehicle launched from the earth's
surface and carrying a payload designated for an orbit beyond its
capability, rendezvouses with a microwave powered space tug. The
payload is transferred and attached to the tub by docking latches
29. The tug and payload acceleration sequence then begins via an
intermittent series of propulsive maneuvers. After the payload is
boosted into its desired trajectory the microwave powered vehicle
is rotated 180 degrees and the main propulsion rockets 27 used for
braking the vehicle and retaining it in a suitable earth orbit. It
will be noted that much less total energy is required for braking
than for boosting, since by this time, the payload is disconnected
and most of the propellant is expended so that the total vehicle
mass is relatively low. When the vehicle is brought into a suitable
orbit any empty working fluid tanks are removed and replaced from a
space shuttle, thereby enabling the microwave powered vehicle to
conduct another mission.
Microwave power is desirable for propelling a space vehicle since
the energy can be provided from an earth station and only the
propulsion fluid need be boosted into orbit. A higher specific
impulse is obtainable from hydrogen than from the chemical fuels
customarily used. Microwave power may be preferable to light from a
laser station for several reasons. By using a phased array of
microwave antennas the range of the system, that is the distance
between the ground station and the space tug, can be quite large,
as compared with a laser power source. By properly selecting the
wave length to be used (e.g. about 3 cm.), the microwave system can
be operated in any kind of weather whereas a laser system can not
be operated in the presence of any overcast. The efficiency of
generating microwave power by way of klystron tubes is in the range
of 50 to 60 percent depending upon the power level and other
operating conditions, which compares very favorably with a 20
percent efficiency in the best laser systems.
Although described hereinabove with respect to hydrogen propulsion,
it will be noted that nitrogen propulsion also has certain distinct
advantages. Nitrogen is about 11 times as dense as hydrogen and can
be heated with microwave radiation with substantially the same
efficiency. Because of the higher density, much less massive tanks
are required and substantial vehicle and shuttle mass savings may
accrue. In addition, the temperature of liquid nitrogen is
significantly higher than that of liquid hydrogen and less
sophisticated thermal insulation can be employed. It will also be
noted that liquid nitrogen is considerably less expensive than
liquid hydrogen and it can be handled with greater ease and safety.
Clearly, other propulsion fluids could be employed, but hydrogen or
nitrogen are presently deemed preferable.
Although limited embodiments of a reusable microwave powered space
vehicle have been described and illustrated herein, many
modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the
art. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of
the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described.
* * * * *