Space Systems Design Studio

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Lorentz Augmented Orbits

Several planets in the Solar System, including the Earth and Jupiter, have strong magnetic fields. An electrically charged spacecraft can exchange energy with planetary magnetic fields in a way that resembles energy exchange in a gravitational flyby maneuver.  While magnetic fields can do no work in a frame that rotates with the field, planetary magnetic fields spin with the planet and can therefore do mechanical work on a charged spacecraft in orbit.

Diagram of forces acting on a charged spacecraft in Earth's magnetic field. Motion of the spacecraft through the field produces a torque that causes the orbit to precess.

Our research into the dynamics of orbits augmented with magnetic forces (also called Lorentz forces) has uncovered a number of interesting applications including prospects for planetary escape and non-Keplerian orbits. In addition, we have researched methods for maintaining an electric charge on a vehicle in the space environment.

The prospects of LAOs for orbit modification can be viewed as a type of propellantless propulsion. With the Microscale Infinite-Impulse spacecraft, we hope to demonstrate this effect.