Free Re-boost Electrodynamic Tether for the International Space Station

The International Space Station (1%) currently experiences significant orbital drag that requires constant make up propulsion or the Station will quickly reenter the Earth’s Atmosphere. The reboost propulsion is presently achieved through the firing of hydrazine rockets at the cost of considerable propellant mass. The problem will inevitably grow much worse as station components continue to be assembled, particularly when the full solar panel arrays are deployed. This paper discusses many long established themes on electrodynamic propulsion in the context of Exploration relevance, shows how to couple unique ISS electrical power system characteristics and suggests a way to tremendously impact ISSs sustainability. Besides allowing launch mass and volume presently reserved for reboost propellant to be reallocated for science experiments and other critically needed supplies, there are a series of technology hardware demonstrations steps that can be accomplished on ISS, which are helpful to NASA’s Exploration mission. The suggested ElectroDynamic (ED) tether and flywheei approach is distinctive in its use of ‘free’ energy currently unusable, yet presently available from the existing solar array panels on ISS. The ideas presented are intended to maximize the utility of Station and radically increase orbital safety.