Development of a New Microgravity Experiment Facility with Electromagnetic Launch

With the construction and future operation of the China Space Station (CSS), requirements of extensive preliminary ground experiments for projects onboard CSS, as well as those of scientific experiments utilizing ground-based short-term microgravity facilities, are increasing rapidly. A new microgravity experiment facility with electromagnetic launch is proposed and built by the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The design details of electromagnetic microgravity facility are introduced in this paper. This facility is mainly composed of double layered tower, linear induction motors, experimental capsule, energy storing device, high-power converters, electrical control system and electromagnetic release device. Then the microgravity level of the experimental payload achieved is evaluated through the analysis of kinematics and dynamics. The results of analysis indicate that the microgravity level of 10–5 g can be achieved for 4 s and optional gravity level from 10–5 g to 1 g can be created. With the drive concept, this facility will be capable of performing that the interval time between two experiments is less than 10 min. The acceleration and deceleration of experimental capsule can be controlled within 5 g through electromagnetic accelerating and electromagnetic braking. Physical verification and simulation tests are carried out on key technologies such as principle of electromagnetic launch, linear motor control, and electromagnetic release, which prove the effectiveness of the technical feasibility.