Joint ASI/NASA efforts on tether flight demonstrations

Abstract

Technological and organizational aspects of joint efforts by NASA and the Italian space agency ASI to develop tethered spacecraft systems are briefly discussed. The members of the ASI/NASA Task Group for Tether Flight Demonstrations are listed; the history of Task Group activities since 1986 is reviewed; and the current status of the main projects is indicated in a series of charts. Particular attention is given to the Tether Initiated Space Recovery System, a 450-lb spacecraft with a 20-km tether scheduled for Space Shuttle or Delta II launch to a 250-km 27.5-deg circular orbit in 1992.