Orbital Ring Satellite Structure for Stable Protected Space Habitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space settlement designs lack sufficient protection against harmful space effects and face uncertainties in structural implementation and interconnection, with high material and financial costs, and inefficient construction methods.
Innovation Solution
An artificial orbital ring complex comprising a ring satellite in a circular orbit around a natural cosmic body, featuring a longitudinally tensioned structural frame, integrated utilities, and a protective shell, with systems for control, life support, and active/passive protection, ensuring alignment of centers of mass and controlled velocity to maintain stability and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate stations are assembled in orbit like beads in a necklace, then the settlement can be constructed and delivered to orbit, but the structural integrity and protection against space hazards are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate functional stations into a single integrated orbital ring structure. The ring combines residential zones, industrial zones, agricultural zones, and protective shielding into one continuous structure, eliminating the vulnerabilities of separate station connections while maintaining construction feasibility through modular assembly segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The orbital ring employs composite material construction with multiple layers including protective outer shells, structural framework, and habitation modules. This composite approach provides both structural integrity and protection against space hazards such as micrometeoroids and radiation, while allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large rotating structure like O'Neill Cylinders is created, then artificial gravity and self-sufficiency are achieved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing uncertainty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The orbital ring is divided into multiple functional segments including residential zones, industrial zones, agricultural zones, and docking ports. Each segment can be manufactured and tested separately on Earth before being assembled in orbit, reducing manufacturing uncertainty while maintaining the overall complexity benefits of artificial gravity and life support systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The orbital ring structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides artificial gravity through rotation, houses diverse human activities (residential, industrial, agricultural), offers protection from space hazards, and enables transportation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized structures, simplifying overall structural implementation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If space settlements are placed in geosynchronous orbit, then position stability is achieved, but the distance from Earth reduces protective effects and increases construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
The orbital ring incorporates active shielding systems and protective outer shells as intermediary layers between the settlement and space hazards. These protective intermediaries block harmful radiation and micrometeoroids while allowing the settlement to maintain its beneficial geosynchronous position stability for Earth observation and communication purposes.
4Ease of manufacture
If modular stations are assembled in orbit, then construction flexibility is improved, but the interconnection and interaction uncertainties increase
Solution Approach 1:
Standardized docking interfaces and connection mechanisms are designed and tested on Earth before orbital assembly. Pre-assembled modular units with precision-machined connection points are launched and automatically docked using guidance systems, ensuring high interconnection precision while maintaining the flexibility of modular construction. This preliminary preparation of connection systems eliminates uncertainties in orbital assembly operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides enhanced protection against space hazards, improves structural integrity, and reduces construction complexity and costs, enabling efficient geocosmic operations and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The ring satellite is in circular motion in orbit around a natural cosmic body with velocity V0, m/sec, defined by the ratio: V0/V1H = √(R0/(R0+H0)) where V1H is the first space velocity
Implementation Method 2
ring satellite, located in a circular orbit around a natural cosmic body in the equatorial plane
Implementation Method 3
structural frame is longitudinally tensioned, and ring satellite in circular motion in orbit around a natural cosmic body with velocity V0
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the area of space science, in particular, to the area of industrialization of outer space and, directly, to the facilities for inserting and moving various objects in circumplanetary cosmic space. It is intended to solve geocosmic problems in industrial-scale volumes - to carry out research and development, special-purpose, touristic and other types of works and services in outer space and stabilize global climate. Artificial orbital ring complex by Yunitski is made in the form of a ring satellite (1), located in a circular orbit (5) around a natural cosmic body (2) in the equatorial (4) plane (3), which comprises: structural frame (7), utilities (8) and communications (9), power units (10), transition galleries (11) positioned in annular housing (12) with protective shell (13), gate chambers (14) with docking units (15), configured to dock with space vehicles (16), residential (19) and research-production (20) units, equipped with systems of control, life support, active and passive (17) protection against the harmful effects of space (18). The structural frame (7) is longitudinally tensioned, and the ring satellite (1) is in circular motion in orbit around the natural cosmic body (2) with velocity V0, m/sec, defined by the ratio: 1≤V0/V1H≤1.01, where V1H, m/sec, - first space velocity for the equatorial circular orbit of the location of the ring line connecting the centers of mass of the cross sections of the artificial orbital ring complex, at altitude of H0, m, defined by the ratio: 0.02≤H0/R0≤0.5, where R0, m, - radius of natural cosmic body (2) in equatorial (4) plane (3).