A Potential Method of Spacecraft Touchdown with Magnetic Induction for Future Space Travel

Overview

With the rapid development of space technology, it is clear that space travel and even space settlement will become a part of our daily lives. As I observed how a magnetic ball quickly slows down and reaches a low terminal speed as it falls through a copper pipe, I wondered whether I could use this same magnetic resistance mechanism for spacecraft touchdown. To study magnetic resistance, first, I conducted experiments to find the terminal speed and falling speed of the magnetic ball through the copper pipe. Next, based on Newton’s law and using the Euler-Herun method, I created a simulation to investigate the motion of the magnetic ball falling through the pipe with magnetic resistance. The comparison between my simulation with the experimental data shows that my simulation is reliable. Based on the tested simulation code, I studied the touchdown process with a designed lander and landing tube. The results show that my landing method is simple, effective, and quite promising for future space travel. To further test the method, I have been building a small -scale prototype of the lander and landing tube. I will al so study how currents, the shape of the landing tube (especially in a funnel shape), and the soil material on the moon under the landing tube affect the touchdown process through my simulation. Arizona

Competition history

• JSHS 2024 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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