Designing a device for generating magnetic force in microgravity
Abstract
When an aircraft performs parabolic maneuvers, the crew is subject to reduced gravity or microgravity. Taking this into account, the objective of the device that is proposed in this study is to generate during three parabolas a downward force that simulates the effect of gravity and makes the device remain motionless in the presence of weightlessness. In other three parabolas, the expectation is to generate an upward force so that the device moves in the opposite direction to microgravity. The methodology used for force generation is in line with Lorentz's law, according to which a current carrying conductor cable generates a force vector when coming under a magnetic field. In both cases, the upward and downward forces will be measured by load cells located at the top and bottom of two magnets. The results of this device are important for space exploration, since this principle would be applicable to the creation of "artificial gravity" when using this system in a space suit, as well as in applications on earth related to the principle of magnetic levitation. The results obtained during the flight, collected by the load cells, and stored in a memory, show the presence of upward and downward forces in a microgravity environment.