MAGNETOUR: Surfing Planetary Systems on Electromagnetic and Multi-Body Gravity Fields

Using numerical simulations that incorporate simplified orbital mechanics and tether dynamics, our preliminary results suggest that a full propellantless concept relying on electrodynamic tethers only is indeed feasible at Jupiter. The concept requires a tether length of at least 20 km at Jupiter. Mass savings can be in the order of 800 kg compared to classical mission concepts and using currently available tether materials. We have developed a preliminary design for a 25-km long tether at Jupiter. The tether is used for capture and lowering the apojove by repeatedly turning on the tether at perijove. Moon flybys are then the most efficient method to raise perijove. A low-energy tour surfing the InterMoon Superhighway and orbiting successively Callisto, Ganymede and Europa requires 5 m/s only, a dramatic improvement over classical patched-conics tour designs. Additional interesting dynamical features can be also found by fully coupling the electromagnetic and gravitational dynamics. There are many extensions possible of the Magnetour concept that use part or all of the techniques considered in this study: 1. Outer planet cubesats: a tether could be attached to the cubesats to provide propulsion and power without significant mass penalty. 2. Outer planet sample return mission: the Magnetour concept could be augmented by adding a return trajectory leg to the Earth. The sampling of one or several of the moons could be performed by the tether itself during close flybys. 3. Jupiter observer at low circular orbit: a 'descope' Magnetour could simply involve a low circular orbit at Jupiter.