Phase 3 study of selected tether applications in space. Volume 1: Executive summary

Abstract

A tethered launch assist from the Shuttle for payloads with up to 10,000 kg mass for the mission model and the tethering of a 15,000 kg science platform for the space station were addressed. Also encompassed was the design and cost analysis for a variable g device that could be placed on the tether and allow ultralow g or other types of experiments to be conducted. Numerous tether applications were examined and their theoretical feasibility and technology requirements were assessed.