Future of Engineering

Using magnetic forces to hold the elements of a modular spacecraft together without mechanical connection is being studied by Cornell University's College of Engineering as part of a Northrop Grumman-led team working on the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's System F6 fractionated satellite programme. F6 aims to replace the traditional large monolithic satellite with several small independently launched spacecraft flying in close formation.

Cornell is working with flux-pinning superconductors that resist movement within magnetic fields and which could be used to hold spacecraft components in place without mechanical connections. The superconductors can be turned on and off, allowing flux-pinned modules to repositioned or replaced like the "virtual building blocks" of a fractionated satellite, says the university. Cornell is also studying electromagnetic formation flight, which can passively stabilise formations of spacecraft flying in close proximity (less than 1m), while also preventing them from colliding. DARPA plans to fly a fractionated satellite within four years.

More from here

Keywords: Electromagnetic, Cornell University, F6 fractionated satellite programme, flux-pinning superconductors, DARPA

Labels: Aerospace-Engineering, Electrical-Engineering, Material-Sciences