Possibilities for Traveling to MarsTopics of InterestSolar Sails: HistoryHow Does It Work?MaterialsUsesPlasma Sails ConceptComponentsPlasma PressureSlide 10Laser Lightcraft: HistoryHow It WorksMaterialSlide 14Conclusion1Possibilities for Traveling to MarsCharles C. Renn2Topics of Interest•Solar Sails•Plasma Sails•Laser Lightcraft3Solar Sails: History- 1600’s Johannes Kelper -1920’s Russian scientists- 1958 1st scientific paper (Garwin, Defense Department consultant with IBM)-1960 1st Master Thesis (Villers, MIT) & 1st class offered @ UCLA-1978 NASA proposal for a rendezvous with Halley’s comet4How Does It Work?-general concepts of photons transferring momentum-S.S. is launched (Volna) into space and deploys highly reflective sails-Sails reflect photons from sunlight, gradually accelerating sails (NOT FROM SOLAR WINDS)-F(sunlight) = 1e3 to 1e5 * F(solar wind)-Individual blades rotate to change velocity5Materials-Cosmos-1 (launch early ’04, funded by The Planetary Society and Cosmos Studios)– 5-micron thin aluminized Mylar–8 -15m blades, total area = 600m^2–Solar powered electronics - GPS, cameras, sun sensors6Uses-Mars Transportation? – one way trip = 400 days, slow increasing acceleration-Advantages – rendezvous with comets, provide roundtrip transportation of heavy payloads with ease-Ideal for large masses over great distances-Interstellar Travel? – lasers instead of photons-Cosmos-1 animation7Plasma Sails Concept-Use of magnetosphere to reflect solar wind to apply force to space craft,. Ex heliopause & interstellar medium-Magnetic cloud to be 15-20 km radius (similar to ion gyro-radius) -Accelerate 70-140 kg payload to 50-80 km/s8Components-magnetic field on spacecraft ~ 700G-Plasma injected from spacecraft to inflate magnetic field-Power source to power magnetic field and plasma9Plasma Pressure-Helium or Argon heated by power source, becomes plasma-Injected into magnetic field supported by solenoid coils on spacecraft-Pressure causes both the plasma and magnetic field to expand -Potentially expands to needed 15- 20 km10Uses-Mars – possibility once technology develops, provide low cost to Mars orbital-Heliosphere – analyze interactions with the interstellar medium (10 - yr trip)11Laser Lightcraft: History-1970’s US Missile Defense System – used high powered lasers-1987 Myrabo develops 1st lightcraft-1997 1st successful flight with no onboard engine-2000 lightcraft flies 233ft12How It Works-Carbon dioxide laser – ground based laser, rapidly pulsed, creating thrust-Parabolic mirror – focuses beam into ring shaped absorption chamber - (heats air to 5 times T(sun))-Absorption chamber – inlet air directed to chamber, air then heated by beam, expands, propels lightcraft-Onboard Hydrogen – used when atm. is too thin to provide enough air-Lightcraft stabilizes by spinning rapidly.-Ex - similar to how a football spins rapidly when thrown with accuracy13Material-the model – aircraft-grade aluminum-Full size – silicon carbide14Uses-Mars – possibility-Satellite launch services-Parcel delivery-Advantages - high thrust, simplicity, reliability (few moving parts)-Limits – power available, absorption/distortion through