METHOD OF STABILIZATION OF ORBITAL RING-SHAPED CONSTRUCTION Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering of distant perspective - large-scale exploration of outer space; orbital ring-shaped constructions surrounding heavenly bodies. SUBSTANCE: ring-shaped construction is held round a heavenly body (for example the Earth) in the plane of large circle due to action of two systems of carrying masses moving oppositely along the construction body with a velocity exceeding the orbital velocity (for the given height of the ring over the planet). Velocities of the carrying masses may be controlled by an electromagnetic system created along the ring-shaped construction body. Stabilizing actions upon ring sections are formed as differences between gravitational and centrifugal forces acting upon these sections. To this end ballast accumulators are created along the ring. Ballast is accumulated in one or another place due to carrying masses of both the systems, when they are braked and introduced into accumulators. Ballast may be spent in respective sections by withdrawing carrying masses from the accumulators and accelerating their movement along the ring in opposite directions. The method makes it possible to use carrying masses (braked and accelerated in conditions of zero change of momentum of the whole system of carrying masses) as ballast quickly distributable along the ring. EFFECT: reduced passive mass of ring-shaped construction and reduced disturbing influences thereupon. 3 dwg