Gravity gradient enhancement during tethered payload retrieval

Abstract

Kane's (1984) Crawler System for satellite retrieval is enhanced by incorporating out-of-plane as well as in-plane motion. It is shown that a fixed length deployed tether applies stabilizing restoring forces to the payload during retrieval phase, and in effect, significantly reduces both the in-plane equilibrium hangoff angles and the build-up of in-plane and out-of-plane swinging. These Crawler System characteristics suggest that a simpler control system can be utilized and that significantly faster deployment and retrieval scenarios are possible without compromising safety.