All Questions
Tagged with propulsionartificial-satellite
22 questions
9votes
1answer
261views
Could we possibly send a cubesat to Proxima Centauri? [duplicate]
Could we send a functional satellite in orbit of the closest star after the Sun? Napkin calculation gives 80 000 years at the rate Voyager 1 is going. What about a small craft, propelled with a large ...
- 721
5votes
1answer
176views
What's the theoretical dV of the SNAP-10A satellite?
SNAP-10A, launched in 1965, was the first nuclear reactor tested in orbit. It was intended to produce 500 watts of electricity for a year, but it only lasted 43 days; a voltage regulator in the ...
9votes
2answers
2kviews
Is there any satellite that uses LOX as oxidizer?
With Liquid Oxygen being used as an Oxidizer in Starship and some other rocket engines, I was curious if LOX was also used for propelling satellites as well.
- 117
6votes
2answers
139views
Would tidal forces be strong enough to stabilize a configuration where one satellite is being used to tow another satellite?
The scenario that I'm contemplating is one in which there is a first "depleted satellite" that has run out of propellant and a second "rescue satellite" that is designed to rescue ...
- 9,353
1vote
1answer
181views
How much power do radiation-based engines produce
I heard that the Voyager satellites used a radioactive source to power the computer and sensor systems. How much power can this technique produce nowadays? Could it power, say, a fighting robot? ...
- 119
1vote
1answer
424views
What if we launched rockets from space using the slingshot method and centripetal force? Would that be possible?
Would we have to build a orbiting launch station that uses centripetal force to launch the rockets? Or a station that freely floats through space not in a planets orbit? Would something like this ...
0votes
3answers
946views
Could a horseshoe magnet help a satellite stay in orbit?
If a horseshoe magnet was attached to a satellite orbiting the Earth, would the interaction of the Earth's magnetic field and the horseshoe magnet's magnetic field result in the magnet being propelled ...
user35148
-1votes
1answer
305views
Could this satellite wobble in orbit creating additional orbital angular momentum?
This question asks if this type of steam engine would work: Could a steam Engine outperform other electric producing devices in space? this not a sterling engine since it has far less moving parts. ...
- 1
1vote
1answer
285views
Diamagnetic Polar Orbit
This has nothing to do with electricity, Electrodynamic propulsion, or light sails. I am asking can a flat surface made of diamagnetic material like light sail displace Earth or the Sun's magnetic ...
- 1
2votes
1answer
3kviews
What is the cost of the propulsion system and thrusters as a % of the total satellite?
Small (nano) satellites and cubesats are between \$100k and \$500k. What percentage of the total is the cost of the propulsion system?
- 21
4votes
1answer
1kviews
Cost Estimation of Satellite propulsion systems
As part of my research project, i am evaluating various satellite propulsion systems. Are there any databases or forums where the ROM cost of a Satellite propulsion system is listed. A few new space ...
- 161
7votes
2answers
910views
The Orbital Mass Accelerator Engine Theory
Can 2 satellites equal in weight traveling on the same orbital path in the opposite directions intersect and propel each other to gain altitude in orbit? Can orbital perturbation be negated during ...
- 1
3votes
2answers
573views
Does using electric propulsion increase the lifetime of satellites?
Lifetime of satellites is affected by orbital decay. By using electric propulsion which is more efficient than chemical propulsion, this means that we got more fuel correct the satellite from orbital ...
- 471
0votes
1answer
119views
If a cube or micro satellite could collect 1-2 cm space debris in Earth orbit could they be deorbited while raising the sats orbit?
A lot of space debris on LEO are small 1 to 2 cm pieces. Removing these threats is a concern to anyone using LEO. Can a cube/micro satellite use collected small debris and propel them to both ...
5votes
2answers
1kviews
Why launch from sea level and not Denver? [duplicate]
Why do we launch space satellites and vehicles from sea level and not from a higher locale like Denver? Is saving a mile not more fuel efficient? Gravity is less the further away from center or is ...
