Reusable interorbital tugs of megawatt class: problems and prospects

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Abstract

The possibilities of creating solar reusable megawatt-class interorbital tugs are analyzing. A comparison of solar and nuclear power plants is given, and the advantages of using solar systems are justified. On the basis of a comparative analysis of analogues, such as solar sails, solar reflectors for illumination from Earth's orbit, solar panels of space power plants, the advantages of using frameless centrifugal solar panels in comparison with frame analogues are justified. It is indicated that the design and development, as well as the production and technological reserve and test base are sufficient for the creation of a solar power plant in the Russian Federation. The authors point out the prospect of using oxygen-hydrogen fuels obtained by electrolysis of water in space, which greatly increase the speed of transport operations, and the need to create electro-magnetic accelerators for launching from Earth with large cargo flows. The design evaluation of the parameters of centrifugal solar panels with a capacity of 1 and 5 MW is given. The necessary funding for the work was estimated.

About the authors

Vitaly M. Melnikov

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: vitalymelnikov45@yandex.ru

Professor of the Department of Mechanics and Mechatronics of the Institute of Space Technologies of the Academy of Engineering of the RUDN University, Academician of the K.E. Tsiolkovsky Russian Academy of Cosmonautics and International Academy of Informatization, Doctor of Sciences (Techn.), Professor

6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

Yury N. Razoumny

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

Email: vitalymelnikov45@yandex.ru

Director of the Academy of Engineering of the RUDN University, Director of the Department of Mechanics and Mechatronics of the Institute of Space Technologies of the Academy of Engineering of the RUDN University, Academician of the K.E. Tsiolkovsky Russian Academy of Cosmonautics and International Academy of Astronautics, Doctor of Sciences (Techn.), Professor.

6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

References

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Copyright (c) 2020 Melnikov V.M., Razoumny Y.N.

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