Hyperbolic Injection Issues for MXER Tethers

Abstract

Momentum-exchange/electrodynamic reboost (MXER) tether technology is currently being pursued to dramatically lower the launch mass and cost of interplanetary scientific spacecraft. A spacecraft boosted from LEO to a high-energy orbit by a MXER tether has most of the orbital energy it needs to escape the Earth's gravity well. However, the final targeting of the spacecraft to its eventual trajectory, and some of the unique issues brought on by the tether boost, are the subjects of this paper.