[amsat-bb] Re: Could we raise orbit thru magnetorque?

["Marc Vermeersch" <amvm@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Pedro,

Interesting thought!! A few remarks around this:

- AFAIK magnetorque-ing is being used to change orientation but not for
changing orbit. I wonder what would happen in your scenario: I kind of
expect the satellite to change orientation because of the impossibility of
exactly opposing the poles.

- I assume that magnetorque-ing is achieved by sending a current through a
coil. The force on a conductor in a magnetic field is:
	Force = current [A] x length [m] x magnetic field [Tesla]
The magnetic field of Mother Earth is about 0.00005 Tesla at the surface so
a fraction of that at satellite altitude. Generating usable force looks like
a challenge.



-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of lu7abf
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 4:48 AM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Could we raise orbit thru magnetorque?

In thinking on a future satellite project, this question was made.

Argument is:  if when satellite is in the north, a north magnetic field is
applied on z plane, will satellite raise orbit ? Same but opposite on south.
Considering limited energy available could this raise be significant if
applied on all orbits ?. 

Tks for any answer or argument.

lu7abf, Pedro Converso
lu7abf@amsat.org.ar
www.amsat.org.ar 
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