APPARATUS FOR SIMULATING GRAVITATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE WHEN COMBATING ASTEROID HAZARD

摘要

FIELD: physics.;SUBSTANCE: apparatus comprises a steel sphere (1), which simulates an asteroid, a circular trough (2) and a movable base (4) which simulates spacecraft. The base (4) is fitted with a laser range finder (3), solar batteries, a control unit and permanent magnets (now shown). The base (4) is moved on a circle by a motor with a rotor (5) and a stator (9). Wires pass through pins (6) and (7) respectively from the control unit and a command button on a handle (8). Gravitational interaction between the spacecraft and the asteroid is simulated by magnetic attraction of the sphere (1) and said permanent magnets. The control unit enables to maintain distance between the sphere (1) and the magnets of around 2…3 cm.;EFFECT: clear demonstration of the process of towing an asteroid linked to spacecraft by gravitational force.;2 dwg