Applications of tethers for planetary missions

Abstract

Ideas of deep space exploration are considered. The role of tethers in deep space is of most concern. A proposal of a tethered instrument package in orbit about the Moon is explored. The idea of a sling on the surface of the Moon which would take solar energy and build up momentum of the sling is studied. The NASA idea of a Mars Aeronomy Orbiter which would use a tether to enhance the planned Mars Orbiter is reviewed. It is also proposed that a tether can be attached to an asteroid during a spacecraft flyby. The possibility of using tethers to provide a transportation system for payloads which are coming to the surface from escape, and which are leaving Mars and escaping from Mars itself is also studied. A proposal from the Jet Propulsion Lab. on collecting comet or asteroid samples and returning them to Earth is reviewed. A tethered penetrator which could collect core samples is the proposed way. Also considered is the area of electrodynamic tethers at Jupiter.