Attitude dynamics of the Tether Elevator/Crawler System for micro-gravity applications

Abstract

The Tether Elevator/Crawler System (TECS) consists of two end platforms tethered to opposite sides of the Space Station. A variable gravity laboratory is located on board an elevator which can crawl along the upper tether. This paper analyzes the elevator's attitude dynamics in order to evaluate its effect on microgravity applications. To this end, a simulation model is described and numerical results are given for a steady state case. It is shown that the elevator attitude dynamics, without attitude control, contributes additional spectral lines to the acceleration noise.