Relativistic Braking And Power Generation Through Stellar Magnetic Fields Via Eddy Current Forces
£5.00
C. Warn. (2021), JBIS, 74, pp.398-400
Refcode: 2021.74.398
Abstract:
A highly conceptual method of braking a spacecraft moving at relativistic speeds by means of circulating Eddy Current forces in a metal is proposed. As an example calculation using a sail made from the ‘wonder-material’ graphene, it is hypothesized that an approximately 500 m2, 1g sail can be decelerated completely from 8% the speed of light in 127seconds using a planetary system’s stellar magnetic fields, while generating around 26 W of power. This method, if experimentally shown to be feasible, can be improved by increasing the melting point of the spacecraft materials, as well as the maximum deceleration rating of spacecraft electronics and payloads.
