Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Kroll, K. R..
The use of a tether on the Space Station is discussed. The effefcts of the tether on the microgravity environment on the Space station are described. A tethered variable gravity laboratory for investigating low gravity processes using gravity magnitude and time as variables is considered.
One of the primary functions of the space station is related to the propellant resupply of orbital transfer vehicles, orbital maneuvering vehicles, and satellites. Difficulties arise in the case of an acquisition of cryogenic propellants by means of a use of zero-gravity techniques. The use of the 'tethered propellant resupply technique' is, therefore, considered. A study is being conducted to determine the feasibility, design requirements, and operational limitations of this technique. Attention is given to aspects of gravity feed, transfer method selection, requirements related to the orbital transfer vehicle, hazard clearance, attitude control, depot operations, end mass velocity, the microgravity laboratory, and concept evaluation activities.