Space missions in the environments of the outer planets require a large amount of propellant or assistant flybys. Moreover, the quadratic decrease of the radiation intensity with the distance from the sun makes solar panels less convenient as power source. Electrodynamic tether (EDT) technology is receiving increasing attention since it allows for obtaining both power and propulsion profiting from the high magnetic field and plasma density in the proximity of the giant planets. In particular, it has been shown that a self-propelled vehicle with a single EDT could be captured by Jupiter, were it not for the relativistic effects in the electron collection and the overheating of the tether due to the interaction with the environment. Here, we show that a multi EDT (MEDT) propulsion system can be used to circumvent these limitations. The suitable number, shape, and length of the tethers, depending on the size of the vehicle, are selected by structural and thermal analysis. A possible MEDT-propelled mission to Jupiter is described, including the design of the interplanetary trajectory, the orbital insertion, and the subsequent orbits around the planet. The results obtained demonstrate that such a bare MEDT system is a feasible option to provide propulsion and power in outer planets environments.

外行星环境中的太空任务需要大量的推进剂或辅助飞越。此外，辐射强度随着距太阳的距离而二次下降，使得太阳能电池板作为电源的便利性降低。电动系链（EDT）技术受到越来越多的关注，因为它可以通过巨型行星附近的高磁场和等离子体密度获得功率和推进力。尤其是，已经证明，木星可以捕获具有单个EDT的自走式车辆，如果不是由于电子收集中的相对论效应以及由于与环境的相互作用而导致系链过热的话。在这里，我们表明可以使用多EDT（MEDT）推进系统来规避这些限制。根据车辆的大小，通过结构和热分析选择合适的系绳数量，形状和长度。描述了由MEDT推进到木星的可能飞行任务，包括行星际轨道的设计，轨道插入以及绕行星的后续轨道。获得的结果表明，这种裸露的MEDT系统是在外行星环境中提供推进力和动力的可行选择。