AB Levitrons and their Applications to Earths Motionless Satellites

Author offers the new and distinctly revolutionary method of levitation in artificial magnetic field. It is shown that a very big space station and small satellites may be suspended over the Earth’s surface and used as motionless radio-TV translators, telecommunication boosters, absolute geographic position locators, personal and mass entertainment and as planet-observation platforms. Presented here is the theory of big AB artificial magnetic field and levitation in it is generally developed. Computation of three macro-projects: space station at altitude 100 km, TV-communication antenna at height 500 m, and multi-path magnetic highway. Key words: levitation, AB Levitrons, motionless space satellite.

💡 Research Summary

The paper by Alexander Bolonkin introduces the concept of an “AB Levitrons” system, a novel method for levitating large structures using artificial magnetic fields generated by two massive superconducting rings carrying opposite high electric currents. One ring is placed on the ground (or a large platform), the other at altitude (up to about 100 km). Because the currents flow in opposite directions, the rings repel each other, creating a strong magnetic pressure that can support a payload such as a space station, a communication mast, or a vehicle on a magnetic highway.

The author first reviews his earlier work on electromagnetic levitation and kinetic anti‑gravity, then derives simplified formulas for magnetic field intensity (H) and lift force (F) in two limiting cases: (1) a small top ring compared with a large ground ring, and (2) rings of comparable size. Using these formulas, an optimal ground‑ring radius of roughly 80 km is obtained for a 100 km altitude, and the lift force is shown to scale with the product of the two currents and the geometry of the rings. A numerical example with a ground‑ring current J = 10⁸ A and a top‑ring current i = 10⁶ A yields a lift of about 4 × 10⁶ N (≈ 400 tons) for a top‑ring radius of 10 km.

Three macro‑projects are presented:

1. Stationary space station at 100 km – The top ring (10 km radius) carries 10⁶ A, the ground ring (≈ 80 km radius) carries 10⁸ A. The resulting lift supports a 40‑ton payload. The mass of the superconducting wire, suspension cables, elevator, and safety parachutes is calculated, leaving a usable payload of about 23 tons. The required wire cross‑section, magnetic pressure, and rotation speed (≈ 645 m s⁻¹) for stability are discussed. Energy stored in the ground ring is estimated at 10¹⁴ J, equivalent to the energy of 2 500 tons of conventional fuel. A modest cooling power of ~30 kW is claimed sufficient.

2. 500‑m high communication mast – A much smaller top ring (radius 200 m) carries only 100 A, while the ground ring remains the same. The system is intended to support a tall antenna without the need for a superconducting top ring, relying on a conventional cable for power transmission.

3. Multi‑path magnetic highway – A linear arrangement of ground‑ring conductors creates a magnetic “track” along which a vehicle equipped with its own superconducting loop can be levitated and propelled. The lift per meter of vehicle length is derived, showing that reasonable currents could support a vehicle at low altitude.

The paper devotes a substantial portion to thermal management. Heat balance equations for a body in vacuum, radiation exchange between multiple reflective screens, and conventional conductive heat transfer are presented. By using many high‑reflectivity foils and vacuum gaps, the author argues that the heat influx to the superconducting wires can be reduced to fractions of a watt per square meter, allowing liquid‑nitrogen cooling with minimal power consumption.

Materials considerations include a table of high‑temperature superconductors (YBCO, Bi‑based compounds, etc.) with critical temperatures up to 133 K and upper critical fields above 150 T. The author also discusses carbon nanotubes, whiskers, and industrial fibers for the suspension cables, highlighting their high tensile strength (up to 30 GPa) and low density. However, the cost and large‑scale manufacturability of such materials are acknowledged as challenges.

Safety aspects are addressed by proposing parachutes for the payload and the ground ring, as well as magnetic shielding to protect against accidental quenching. The required magnetic pressure on the rings is calculated, and the necessary wire diameters (a few millimetres for the top ring, tens of centimetres for the ground ring) are derived to keep stresses within material limits.

In the conclusion, the author claims that all required parameters are within reach of existing technology, though he admits that the designs are not yet optimal. He emphasizes that the AB Levitrons concept could enable motionless satellites, low‑cost communication infrastructure, and levitating transport without conventional propulsion.

Critical assessment: While the physics of magnetic repulsion between current‑carrying loops is sound, the practical implementation faces several formidable obstacles. The currents required (10⁸ A in a 80 km ring) far exceed the current density capabilities of any known superconducting cable, even at cryogenic temperatures. Maintaining a stable 100 T magnetic field over such a large volume would impose enormous mechanical stresses and demand ultra‑strong, low‑mass structural support that is not presently available. Thermal management in the ground ring, despite the modest 30 kW estimate, would be complicated by resistive heating, radiation from the Sun, and the need for continuous cryogenic cooling over a structure spanning tens of kilometres. Stability of the levitated platform is another critical issue; small angular deviations generate torques that could lead to oscillations unless active feedback control is employed, which in turn consumes additional power. Energy storage in the ground ring is theoretically attractive, but safe discharge, voltage isolation, and protection against quench events would require sophisticated power electronics. Finally, the economic analysis is absent; the material costs for kilometers of high‑temperature superconductor, massive vacuum‑insulated shielding, and nanomaterial cables would likely be prohibitive.

Overall, the AB Levitrons proposal is an imaginative exploration of electromagnetic levitation at planetary scales. It highlights intriguing possibilities for stationary platforms and magnetic transport, but substantial advances in superconducting current density, large‑scale cryogenic engineering, structural materials, and control systems would be needed before the concept could move from theory to practice.