Tethers and Their Role in the Space Exploration Initiative

by Cheryl D. Bankston, Univ of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, United States,
John A. Gilbert, Univ of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, United States,
Dennis R. Wingo, Univ of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space III

Abstract:

This paper addresses some potential applications for tethers in space, and describes a mission designed to deploy a satellite from a Delta II launch vehicle, by NASA's Small Expendable Deployer System, via a 46 km long tether. The mission, targeted for 1993, will contribute to the U.S. Space Exploration Initiative, and along with the shuttle flight of the tethered satellite system, TSS1, will be one of the first attempts to experimentally characterize the dynamics of a tethered system. Data taken from two experimental packages onboard the satellite will be analyzed to verify mathematical simulations related to tether dynamics.

Subject Headings: Space exploration | Satellites | Aircraft and spacecraft | Mathematics | Verification | Vehicles | Simulation models | United States

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