Tether applications

Abstract

For a range of tether lengths, end masses, and orbits, tether deployment concepts were defined and/or analyzed from the Orbiter for steady state/dynamic and up/down deployments and from circular/elliptical orbits. Orbits were defined and/or analyzed for end mass releasing concepts with steady state and dynamic releases taking into account tether and end mass motion before and after release. For a range of tether lengths, end masses, and orbits, tether retrieving or disposing concepts were defined and/or analyzed for both reusable and disposable tethers. Tether programs were installed or updated on the MSFC VAX 11/780 computer.