Stabilization of the position of a charged body in space by an electric field
Abstract
The feasibility of stabilizing the position of a charged spherical body in space by means of an electric field in the absence of gravity is examined theoretically. In the case of a quasi-steady electric field, a condition is derived which relates the charge, mass, and radius of the body and the frequency of the electric field at which the averaged potential energy can have local minima. The results are of in interst in connection with the carrying out of space manufacturing experiments.
- Publication:
-
Dynamics of Control Systems
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989dycs.book...73I
- Keywords:
-
- Electric Fields;
- Shaped Charges;
- Spacecraft Charging;
- Spheres;
- Weightlessness;
- Potential Energy;
- Space Manufacturing;
- Three Axis Stabilization;
- Physics (General)