Semester Project 1: Space Propulsion Conceptual Design

 

Please read through the GT papers below, (most recent one first) which present a way of automatically building the most conceptually-difficult portions of a Space settlement - the massive radiation shield needed for human survival. A number of references are given below, from these papers and from related sources. Your assignment is to help in the detailed design of this concept.

It is understood that you may personally hold opinions on the Space program which differ very substantially from the ideas presented in the paper. For the purposes of this assignment, you are asked to play the roles of engineers working in a company which happens to be working along the ideas presented in the paper, so you are asked to help make those a reality. One way to handle strong disagreement might be to choose one of the projects which have the least to do with the concepts, but have multiple other uses.

There may be smarter ways of doing the construction - but they must fit with the other aspects discussed. You can discuss these in the discussion portions of your assignment report. Reports should be suitable for turning into papers at student conferences, or posting on web pages for extended use. Some AE1350 work is referenced below - those students had very little time, and very little background, to do that project as one of several in a first-semester 2-credit course. Obviously your assignments need to be MUCH deeper and more mature than those.

Better names for any of the components are welcome - Intuitively attractive and instructive metaphors go a long way towards the success of technological projects. For example, consider the use of the term "desktop" first used by Xerox Inc. for the user interface to computerized information storage systems. It makes the user adapt very quickly to the way the "files" are organized. If it were described by accurate descriptors from the database science, it would not sound so intuitively acceptable. Smart names like those might make people accept wild ideas such as these.

Note that a large part of the objective of this assignment is to get about a dozen different team projects done by enthusiastic and well-informed people, in a manner understandable to people who would be afraid to read the detailed scientific literature. People will believe you at this stage a lot more than they will believe you when you write as expert professionals at NASA or an aerospace company. So write with such an audience in mind!! Who knows? If your project catches people's fancy, you may find yourself actually directing it in reality some years from now!!

 

GT Papers:

Ganesh, B.A., Komerath, N.M., “Large-Scale Construction for a Space-Based Economy”, In Proceedings of Space ’02, ASCE Conference on Space Manufacturing, March 2002. http://www.adl.gatech.edu/archives/asce03192002.pdf

9. Ganesh, A.B., Wanis, S.S., Komerath, N.M., "Elecromagnetic Construction of a 1-km Radius Radiation Shield". In Valentine, L.S., Greber, B., "Space Manufacturing 13: Settling Circumsolar Space". Proceedings of the Fifteenth SSI/Princeton Conference on Space Manufacturing, May 7-9, 2001. http://www.adl.gatech.edu/archives/ssi05082001.pdf

8. Matos. C.A. et al, "Developing the Space-Based Economy: An Architecture for NASA Mars Customer Engagement". "NMB Program", 2001. http://www.adl.gatech.edu/nmb/nmbhome.html .

 

Space Propulsion System Design Projects - choose one and work in teams of two each

1. Vehicle to shuttle between lunar surface and L-2 Lagrangian Point. Only hydrogen fuel can be shipped regularly from Earth - use lunar-derived materials for all other items
2. The "Shepherd" chemical - solar - electromagnetic space tugs which will capture payloads coming into lunar orbit and guide them into position at the construction site. Note that the Shepherds work in pairs.
3. The lunar-based Mass Driver launch system
4. Hydrogen fuel-cell-based Mars Cycler which keeps orbiting  between Mars and Earth. How & where to build & launch this are also major issues which must be thought about if you choose this - obviously, once it is set up, it does not need very much propulsion. Orbital mechanics also becomes very important here.

Start with a description of the concept, why it is needed, etc., and then list the different aspects needed to be considered. Then start filling in detail on each. At your level, the following are expected in addition to a nice, well-reasoned introduction and a brief survey of related work:

1. Conceptual design of the vehicle / system. Its mass, sizing of major components, how it works, performance figures, fuel needed.

2. Justification by calculation of your figures.

3. Reasonably detailed sketches of the final system.

4. Report giving a discussion of the results, plots etc.

5. Cost estimation and assessment of market / revenue potential

6. A risk assessment, and consideration of ways to mitigate the risk.

7. References

Elementary calculations of orbital considerations (energy, speed at either extreme, time for a cycle, etc.) are expected where relevant, so that the reasonableness of the system assumptions can be shown.

 

Sample References to get you going

(Please contribute any more sites that you find)

General Space Material

  1. Introduction to Space Flight: Aerospace Digital Library: . http://www.adl.gatech.edu/classes/dci/space/dci10.html
  2. Resources on Astronautics, Aerospace Digital Library: http://www.adl.gatech.edu/adl0/adl00space.html

 

About large-scale human presence and economics in Space

  1. O'Neill, Gerard K., "The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space". William Morrow & Co, NY 1977 NASA Web Page on Space Settlements. http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/70sArt/art.html
  2. Johnson, R.R., Verplank, W., O’Neill, G. K., : “Space Settlements: A Design Study”.  Report of  NASA-ASEE Engineering Systems Design Summer Program, Ames  RC, June-Aug. 1975.  Web version, Dec. 1999  Globus, A., Yager, B., Sezen, T., Globus, R., http://lifesci3.arc.nasa.gov/SpaceSettlement/75SummerStudy/Table_of_Contents.html
  3. Smitherman, D.V., Jr.,  “New Space Industries for the Next Millennium” NASA CP-1998-209006, Dec.1998. http://flightprojects.msfc.nasa.gov/pdf_files/NewSpaceIndustries.pdf
  4. Smitherman. D.V., Jr. (Ed.) “National Forum on The Future Development of Space”, NASA MSFC/ US Chamber of Commerce Conference, March ‘99. NASA CP2000-210428,  August 2000. http://flightprojects.msfc.nasa.gov/pdf_files/DoSForum.pdf
  5. Collins, P.,"Space Tourism: A Remedy For 'Crisis in Aerospace'. "The Next Century of Flight" Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 10, 2001, p. 98.
  6. Web Pages of the Space Studies Institute. http://www/ssi.org;       http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/70sArt/art.html
  7. Chilton, F., Hibbs, B., O'Neill, G., Phillips, J., "Electromagnetic Mass Drivers". In O'Neill, G., Ed., "Space-Based Manufacturing from Nonterrestrial Materials".Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 57, AIAA, '77.
  8. Cheston, T.S., "Space Stations and Habitats", Proceedings of the 72nd Annual Meeting of American Society of International Law, Lancaster Press, Lancaster, PA, 1978.
  9. Driggers, G.W., and Newman, J., "Establishment of a Space Manufacturing Facility", Space Based Manufacturing from Non-Terrestrial Materials, Vol.57.
  10. Arnold, W.A., et al, "Mass Drivers: Engineering", Space Resources and Space Settlements, 1977, NASA SP-428.
  11. Carrier, W.D., "Excavation Costs for Lunar Materials." Proceedings of the Fourth Princeton/AIAA Conference on Space Manufacturing Facilities, May, 1979.
  12. Schmitt, Harrison J., and  Kulcinski, G.,  “Helium-3 Fusion: A Safe, Clean and Economical Energy Source for Future Generations”. Under NEEP602/ Geology 376, Resources From Space, http://silver.neep.wisc. edu/~neep602/lecture27.html
  13. Lin [1987a]: Lin, T.D., "Concrete for Lunar Base Construction", in Shohrokhi, F., Chao, C.C., Harwell, K.E., "Commercial Opportunities in Space", Prog. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Vol. 110, 1987, p. 510-521.
  14. Lin [1987b]: Lin, T.D., Love, H., Stark, D., "Physical Properties of Concrete Made with Apollo 16 Lunar Soil Sample". in Shohrokhi, F., Chao, C.C., Harwell, K.E., "Commercial Opportunities in Space", Progress in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Vol. 110, 1987, p. 522-533.

Present Space Program and Plans

  1. NASA HEDS Strategic Plan. http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/heds/hedsplan.html
  2. Beardsley, "The Way to Go Into Space". Scientific American, February 1999, p. 80-97.
  3. Covault [1998a]: Covault, C., "Global Commercial Space Business Sought for ISS". Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 11, '98, p. 26
  4. Marshall, M.F., “The Space Exploration Initiative: Its Failure and Lessons for the Future”, Proceedings of the 5th Intern’l Conference on Space, Albuquerque, NM, ‘96.
  5. British Broadcasting Corporation, “New Star in Orbit: The International Space Station”, March 1999. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/newstar.shtml

Advanced Concepts: Recent Work

  1. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center: http://www.msfc.nasa.gov
  2. Ignatiev, A., "A New Architecture for Space Solar Power Systems: Fabrication of Silicon Solar Cells Using In-Situ Resources". NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts (NIAC) website: http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/
  3. Ignatiev, A., Freundlich, A., "Production of Solar Cells on the Moon from Lunar Regolith" . Proceedings of the First Space Resources Utilization RoundTable, Golden, CO, October 1999. http://www.mines.edu/research/srr/first_srr.html
  4. Ignatiev, A., “A New Architecture for Space Solar Power Systems: Fabrication of Silicon Solar Cells Using In-Situ Resources”. Phase 1 project, NIAC 2000,  http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/
  5. NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts website http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/
  6. Mars Cycler: http://members.aol.com/dsfportree/ex90i.htm
  7. Deems. E., Aufderhaar, E.," Flying Hotel and Mars Cycler Study" Final Project for AE 1350, School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, December 2001. http://www.homestead.com/gtaerospace/1350project.html
  8. Shoaf,R.,Baglia, M., "Space Design for AE 1350". School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, December 2001. http://www.angelfire.com/ga4/markbaglia/FinalDesign/space.htm
  9. Flying Hotel: http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/jetliner/a380/index.shtml
  10. http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/8803/fa3xx.htm#a3xx
  11. http://www.pbs.org/kcet/chasingthesun/planes/a380.html
  12. http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/coa/tech-avt/wing/wing-2.htm
  13. http://cosmographica.com/gallery/portfolio/portfolio351/pages/370-Marsv Cycler.htm
  14. http:// www.sciam.com/2000/0300issue/0300singer.html
  15. http://www.sciam.com/2000/0300issue/0300oberg.html
  16. Wanis, et al, “Acoustic Shaping: Applications to Space-Based Construction”, AIAA Paper  00-1020, 38th Aerospace Science Meeting, Reno, Nevada, January 2000. Also see: http://www.adl.gatech.edu/abstract/aiaa001020.html
  17. Winglee, R.M., “Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion, M2P2”. Phase II study, NIAC, 2000.  http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/
  18. Slough, J., "Rapid Manned Mars Mission with a Propagating Magnetic Wave Plasma Accelerator" Reports on Funded Projects under the NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/9802/slough.html   1999.
  19. Bekey, I., “An Extremely Large Yet Ultralightweight Space Telescope Array”. Phase 1 study, NIAC, 1999.  http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/
  20. Hoyt, R.P., "Cislunar Tether Transport System" Reports on Funded Projects under the NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts.   http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/9801/hoyt.html
  21. Edwards, B.C., “The Space Elevator”. NIAC Phases I& 11 studies ,  http://www.niac.usra.edu/studies/
  22. Criswell, D., "Commercial Solar-Electric Conversion". Proceedings of the First Space Resources Utilization RoundTable, Golden, CO, October 1999. http://www.mines.edu/research/srr/first_srr.html