The LEO Archipelago: A system of earth-rings for communications,mass-transport to space,solar power,and control of global warming |
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| Authors: | Andrew Meulenberg PS Karthik Balaji |
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| Institution: | 1. NAv6 Center of Excellence, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia;2. National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, India;1. KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Cluster Sustainable Chemical Process Technology, Technology Campus Gent, Gebroeders Desmetstraat 1, B-9000 Gent, Belgium;2. KU Leuven, Department of Materials Engineering, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, P.O. Box 2450, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium;3. Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, rue du Brill 41, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg;4. KU Leuven, Department of Chemistry, Celestijnenlaan 200F, P.O. Box 2404, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium;1. Food Engineering Division, National Food Research Institute, NARO, 2-1-12 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan;2. Department of Mechanical and Biosystem Engineering, Bogor Agricultural University, IPB Darmaga Campus, PO. BOX 220, Bogor 16002, Indonesia;3. Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan;1. College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China;2. Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Starch & Protein Processing, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, College of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China;3. College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;1. Laboratory of Ecosystem Production and Dynamics, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, 606-8501, Japan;2. Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh;1. Department of Material Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People’s Republic of China;2. EPM-Madylam, ENSHMG, BP 38402, St. Martin d’Heres Cedex, France;3. Aix Marseille University, Campus Saint-Jerome, Case 142, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France;4. CNRS, IM2NP, Campus Saint-Jerome, Case 142, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France;1. CEA LITEN INES, Laboratoire Energétique du Bâtiment, 50 av du lac Leman, 73377 Le Bourget du Lac, France;2. Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement, Groupe Energie, Université de Genève, 7 rte de Drize, CH-1227 Carouge, Switzerland;3. Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment, 24 rue Joseph Fourier, 38400 St-Martin d’Hères, France |
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| Abstract: | Man's quest to get into space is hindered by major problems (e.g., system-development and capital costs, expense of putting mass into orbit, trapped-radiation belts, and environmental impact of a large increase in rocket launches). A multi-purpose low-earth-orbit system of rings circling the earth – the “LEO ARCHIPELAGOTM” – is proposed as a means of solving or bypassing many of them. A fiber-optic ring about the earth would be an initial testing and developmental stage for the Ring Systems, while providing cash-flow through a LEO-based, high-band-width, world-wide communication system. A low-earth-orbit-based space-elevator system, “Sling-on-a-RingTM”, is proposed as the crucial developmental stage of the LEO Archipelago. Being a LEO-based heavy-mass lifter, rather than earth- or GEO-based, it is much less massive and therefore less costly than other proposed space-elevators. With the advent of lower-cost, higher-mass transport to orbit, the options for further space development (e.g., space solar power, radiation, and space-debris dampers, sun shades, and permanent LEO habitation) are greatly expanded.This paper provides an update of the Sling-on-a-Ring concept in terms of new materials, potential applications, and trade-offs associated with an earlier model. The impact of Colossal Carbon Tubes, CCT, a new material with high tensile strength, extremely-low density, and other favorable properties, and other new technologies (e.g., solar-powered lasers, power beaming to near-space and earth, and thermal-control systems) on the development of associated LEO-Ring systems is also explored. The material's effect on the timeline for the system development indicates the feasibility of near-term implementation of the system (possibly within the decade). The Sling-on-a-Ring can provide a less-expensive, environment-friendly mode of access to space. This would pave the way (via eventual operation at >1000 t per day by 2050) for large scale development of space-based technologies. |
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