Attitude control of Satellite in orbit without using Rocket Thruster By Janmejay R. Jaiswal Aerospace Engg.

Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology

ABSTRACT Usually in satellite, we use rocket thruster to adjust it into the desired orbit. However, rocket thruster reduces the overall payload capacity of the satellite. Also life of satellite depends on the amount of fuel carried by thruster. In this paper, I am considering a phenomenon called Magnetic Reconnection process to produce thrust in LEO satellite. Basic theory of Magnetic Reconnection is explained and how this process can be used in satellite for attitude control.

Introduction LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite has an altitude in a range of 0-2000 km. At this altitude, Earths atmosphere mainly consists of Hydrogen and Helium. Thus LEO satellite experience some amount of drag. Hence throughout the life of satellite, it will be necessary for it to adjust its speed, attitude or direction where it is pointing. For this satellites are equipped with small rockets so that the ground controllers can adjust the satellite if necessary. However this technique has few disadvantages. Small rocket thrusters in satellite reduce its payload capacity. Also after some time, fuel in thrusters will be over and satellites are not usable. Hence, lifespan of the satellite is reduced. A new technology is required which helps attitude control of satellite without using fuel. We can use the phenomenon called Magnetic Reconnection (MR) for this purpose. MR occurs in Magnetosphere and beyond. Due to solar wind from the Sun, Magnetosphere consists of charged particle in the form of Plasma. Thus, Magnetosphere is filled with plasma which consists of ion and electron, and is threaded by magnetic fields.

Theory of Magnetic Reconnection

By a simple resistive Magneto hydrodynamics (MHD) theory, reconnection happens because the plasmas electrical resistivity near the boundary layer opposes the currents necessary to sustain the change in magnetic field. This can be seen from the Maxwells Equation X B = J + E/t The resistivity of current layer allows magnetic flux from either side to diffuse through the current layer, cancelling out flux from other side of the boundary. When this happen plasma in pulled out by Magnetic Tension along the direction of magnetic field lines. The resulting drop in pressure pulls more plasma and magnetic flux into the central region, yielding a self-sustaining process. Hence, MR is a process whereby plasma flows across a surface that separates region containing topologically different magnetic field lines. Reconnection occurs when an electric field is present along the magnetic separator in plasma. During this process, magnetic energy is converted into plasma Kinetic Energy and plasma gets heated. System relaxes to a lower potential energy state with different magnetic topology. Currently MR plays a key role in many astrophysical phenomenons like star formation, solar flare and intense auroras. Also MR is automatically created in nuclear fusion reactor (Tokamak) where temperature is very high. This is one of the main problems scientists are facing in this field.

Proposed Idea From the above discussion, we see that if there are two different magnetic field lines in Earths magnetosphere interacting with each other, MR occurs and plasma outflow takes place. This change in momentum of plasma can be utilized to provide thrust to the LEO satellite for orbit correction. Strength of magnetic field in solar wind is 0.00005 Gauss which is very much less than Earths magnetic field (1 Gauss). We can artificially create high strength magnetic field from the satellite which can interact with earths magnetic field. Since the temperature of magnetosphere is very large around 10^6 K, MR is initiated in an electron diffusion region and plasma outflow takes place. Hence we get required thrust. Challenges There are few challenges we have to overcome. Although above procedure seems very easy, it is very difficult to control the rate of reconnection. We know that MR, once initiated, is a self sustaining process and energy is released in an explosive manner. Reconnection in Tokamak takes place in a tiny volume of few millimeters wide. However in magnetosphere, as measured by Cluster satellites, the length of observed electron diffusion region measured is 3000 km which is 300 times longer than earlier theoretical expectations. Since LEO satellites require small readjustments, we have to develop a technique which limits the range of electron diffusion region. MR, apart from causing auroral light, also damages Telecommunication Satellite due to high speed energetic particles.

It is thought that reconnection is triggered in electron diffusion region. One of the challenges is to understand the basic mechanism in electron diffusion region and its role in controlling the rate at which the magnetic energy is converted into particle energy. If we understand this basic mechanism, we can control the speed of energetic particles, range of Electron diffusion region, etc. Cluster mission is ESA unmanned space mission which was launched in 2000. Cluster was able to detect region based on its high resolution magnetic field, electric field and ion measurement. But to understand the fundamental physics of electron diffusion region responsible for reconnection, higher time resolution measurements are needed to resolve the layer. Hence, four spacecraft of NASAs Magnetospheric Multi-Scale mission, planned for launch in 2014, are being designed for such measurement.

Testing of this technique Since this process occurs at a very high temperature, it is very difficult to test experimentally. However, we can develop simulators, based on experimental data from different space agencies mission, to test given technique.