An Electrodynamic Propulsion Tether for Propellantless Reboost: Thrust, Power and Duty-Cycle Budgets

This study sizes the system named in its title from stated physical relations and a stated operating basis, and reports the result as SIMULATED, NOT MEASURED. The operating principle is electrodynamic tether operated in motor mode, drawing power to produce thrust along the velocity direction. The propulsion tether is a civilian station-keeping system intended to maintain the orbit of research platforms and stations; it carries no payload other than platform equipment and scientific instruments. Every performance figure is computed by the deposited script from its inputs rather than asserted, and the headline outcomes include motional back-electromotive force the supply must overcome of 1208.4 volts; drive current in motor mode of 3.84 amperes; thrust during a favourable arc of 0.606 newtons; orbit-averaged thrust after the duty cycle of 0.334 newtons. Mass, power, time and energy budgets are assembled from components so they can be audited line by line, off-design behaviour is discussed openly, and the limits of the sizing are stated in full. The design is presented as a civilian system throughout, with its governing constraint identified and quantified rather than merely encountered.