GRAVITY- ASSIST ENGINE FOR

SPACE PROPULSION

Presented by
Akhil Vijayan
Class No:06
5/2/15

CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Gravity Assist
3. Tidal Locking
4. The Spinning Springbell
5. Computational Approach
6. Numerical Simulation
7. Escape from orbit
8. Springbell driven Trajectories from the earth
9. Conclusion
10. References
5/2/15

1.INTRODUCTION
A new type of engine for space travel is presented
Inspired from the famous Gravity Assist concept
The aim of this new concept is to find more direct and easy
trajectories for space travel hence reducing propelling time of
the space probe
Indicates that there are ways to convert the rotational motion of
a astronomical body to orbital motion
5/2/15

2.GRAVITY ASSIST
A three body problem involving gravitational interaction
between Sun, spacecraft and a planetary body
Used to accelerate/decelerate a spacecraft and redirect its
path without the use of propellant
Velocity of the space craft is changed by entering the
gravitational well of the planetary body

It also explains the ways to emulate the Tidal locking of

the gravitating body to raise or lower the orbit of rotation

5/2/15

Fig.1: Gravity Assist working

5/2/15

3.Tidal locking
Tidal locking makes one hemisphere of an astronomical body
to always face the parent body around which it revolves.
This occurs due to the induction of tidal forces on the
revolving body by the gravity of the parent body
These forces are called Tidal bulges

5/2/15

4.The Spinning Springbell

A Three-body problem is recreated by replacing two of the three
gravitationally interacting body in the gravity assist concept with
two large masses
The springbell is onboard to the vehicle and hence an onboard
gravity assist is proposed
The orbital angular momentum of a spacecraft is changed by
manipulating the spin of the springbell.

This technique thus helps in changing the orbit of the spacecraft

5/2/15

Fig.2: The spinning springbell

5/2/15

5.Computational Approach
The accelerations 1 and 2 of the two masses in the plane of
rotation is
1= -GM1/a12+ K(L-a12) 12
2= -GM2/a22+ K(L-a12)12
The corresponding velocities in the next time step is
1 1+1dt
2 2+1dt
and r1 & r2 defining the trajectory is calculated as follows
a1a1+ a1dt+ 0.51dt2
5/2/15

a2a2+ a2dt+ 0.52dt2

6.Numerical Simulation

Fig.3: Trajectory of a springbell in orbit around a parent gravitating body without any
velocity increment/decrement pairs and thus following normal elliptical trajectory.
5/2/15

10

7.Escape from Orbit

Fig.4: Springbell trajectory for velocity decrement pairs in some spatial direction to lose part of its
Orbital angular momentum and spiral towards the central gravitating body.
5/2/15

11

Fig.5: Springbell trajectory for velocity increments in any spatial direction to gain orbital angular
momentum and spiral out towards escape trajectory.
5/2/15

12

8.Springbell driven escape

trajectories from the earth

Fig.6: Simulation for spinning springbell in earth orbit with no increment/decrement dv

Per
time step, thus resulting only in a stable circular orbit.
5/2/15
13

Fig.7: Simulation of springbell in earth orbit and a modest change of orbit.

5/2/15

14

9.Conclusion
Propulsion based on the conservation of angular momentum is
more advantageous than that based on conservation of linear
momentum
Recreation of artificial tidal bulge system by manipulating the
spin of the springbell can be used to raise/lower the orbit of
the space craft
The method of propulsion discussed here requires only
internal energy and no emission of exhaust gases
A powerful internal energy source such as a nuclear reactor
can be used for the energy requirement of spinning the
springbell
5/2/15

15

10.References
1. Arne Bergstrom, Acta Astronautica99(2014)99110, B&E
Scientific Ltd, Seaford, United Kingdom, BN25 4PA(February
10, 2014). [1] [4] [5] [9]
2. M. Minovitch, An Alternative Method for Determination of
Elliptic and Hyperbolic Trajectories, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Technical Memos TM-312-118 (July 11, 1961). [2] [6] [7]
3. M. Minovitch, A Method for Determining Interplanetary Freefall Reconnaissance Trajectories, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Technical Memos TM-312-130 (August 23, 1961). [7] [8]
5/2/15

16