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Space Arch


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15866/irease.v12i5.16944

Abstract


This article discusses the project of a space elevator based on a superconducting tether. The tether is located in a plane perpendicular to the lines of the Earth’s magnetic field. Both ends of the tether are attached to the surface of the Earth forming a semicircular arch. When passing an electric current, a force arises that maintains the arch in space. This makes it possible to reduce the size and the mass of the space elevator by approximately two to three orders of magnitude. The upper point of the arch can be located at an altitude of ≈ 100 km and can be used to launch spacecraft’s (or for other tasks in the study and exploration of space). Since there is no aerodynamic drag when launching a spacecraft from the space arch, the use of a gaseous propellant is considered, which can significantly increase the payload (and allows creating reusable rockets, which can return to Earth in the folded state).
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Keywords


Space; Elevator; Arch; Superconducting; Tether; Graphene; Aerographite; Flight; Spacecraft; Gaseous; Propellant; Rocket

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