SADE: The starspot and dynamo explorer
Abstract We propose a mission called SADE, the Starspot And Dynamo Explorer, to study dynamo activity in nearby late-type stars. The onboard instruments will be a Ca-K telescope for magnetically dominated chromospheric emission, and an X-ray grazing incidence telescope to study coronal emission. We design the mission for a life-time of 15 years or longer to capture a full activity cycle for most solar-type stars. We aim to firmly establish the spectrum of the relation between chromospheric and corona' emission in late-type stars, and capture one or more stars going into or coming out of a Maunder type minimum. Operation costs will be kept to a minimum by automating mission operations to a maximum, and have the science operations be carried out by students at Montana State University.
This paper presents the recent development of the pulsed power technology based on inductive energy storage (including Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage, SMES) and its opening switch. It also introduces several circuit topologies with power electronics/superconducting opening switch.