MARCUS: Moon and Mars gravity in a LEO satellite

Jerome Pearson*, Eugene Levin, Joseph Carroll, John Oldson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

MARCUS is a lightweight, free-flying, artificial gravity spacecraft that can be launched into LEO as a secondary payload. It avoids the gravity gradients and Coriolis effects of spinning spacecraft by rotating two animal enclosure capsules on a smart electrodynamic tether several kilometers long. If the ends have a mass ratio of ∼7:3, one capsule can experience lunar gravity and the other Martian gravity. Depending on life support requirements, the capsules could house several white mice for weeks or months. The smart tether controls the rotation rate and gravity, and also transfers the system into orbits closely duplicating radiation conditions on the Moon or Mars. The capsules can be released on command with the proper velocity and trajectory to cause controlled re-entries. Heat shields and parachutes can then be used to allow gentle mid-air helicopter recovery of the live animals, allowing direct comparison with control animals on the ground. The technology, spacecraft, and method of operation are described. MARCUS would allow filling in the data gap between 0-g and 1-g, which ground-based centrifuges cannot do. The robotic spacecraft could also be operated cheaply, without depending on the limited resources of the ISS.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Astronautical Federation - 59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008
Pages561-568
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes
Event59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 29 Sep 20083 Oct 2008

Publication series

NameInternational Astronautical Federation - 59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008
Volume1

Conference

Conference59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityGlasgow
Period29/09/083/10/08

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