Hi Pedro,
Interesting thought!! A few remarks around this:
- AFAIK magnetorque-ing is being used to change orientation but not for changing orbit. I wonder what would happen in your scenario: I kind of expect the satellite to change orientation because of the impossibility of exactly opposing the poles.
- I assume that magnetorque-ing is achieved by sending a current through a coil. The force on a conductor in a magnetic field is: Force = current [A] x length [m] x magnetic field [Tesla] The magnetic field of Mother Earth is about 0.00005 Tesla at the surface so a fraction of that at satellite altitude. Generating usable force looks like a challenge.
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of lu7abf Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 4:48 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Could we raise orbit thru magnetorque?
In thinking on a future satellite project, this question was made.
Argument is: if when satellite is in the north, a north magnetic field is applied on z plane, will satellite raise orbit ? Same but opposite on south. Considering limited energy available could this raise be significant if applied on all orbits ?.
Tks for any answer or argument.
lu7abf, Pedro Converso lu7abf@amsat.org.ar www.amsat.org.ar _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb