軌道環之線性穩定性分析

Abstract

軌道環(Orbital Ring System)為從環狀衛星吊掛鋼索的太空平台，同太空電梯(Space Elevator)，為可不經由火箭而直達太空的登天系統。 本論文目的為分析軌道環的穩定性，將推導出描述軌道環的統御方程式，並經由線性化將其修飾、簡化成適合作穩定性分析的模式。 分析結果為：軌道環存在許多不穩定的模態，雖然理論上可透過適當的修正力穩定之，實務上提供這些修正力將挑戰制動器的極限。 相較於太空電梯，軌道環對材料的要求較為寬鬆；現今存在的許多工程材料將可勝任。

Orbital Ring Systems consist of a series of tethers anchored to the Earth's surface on the bottom end and hanging from a ring-shaped mass from the top end. Like the more popular space elevator systems, such systems provide access to space without the use of rockets. This thesis is a study of the dynamic stability of such orbital ring structures. Governing equations for describing the dynamics of orbital ring structures were first formulated, then cast into a form suitable for stability analysis. It was found that many modes of instability exist for orbital ring systems. In theory, stabilizing forces can be prescribed to stabilize the ring. In practice, it was found that applying such stabilizing forces will push the boundary of what is possible with todays actuators. However, it was also found that the material requirements of orbital rings are are much less stringent than that of Space Elevators, and are well within reach of materials mass-produced today.