Overview of future NASA tether applications

Abstract - The groundwork has been laid for tether applications in space. NASA has developed tether technology for space applications since the 1960's. Important recent milestones include retrieval of a tether in space (TSS-1, 1992), successful deployment of a 20-km-long tether in space (SEDS-1, 1993), closed loop control of tether deployment (SEDS-2, 1994), and operation of an electrodynamic tether with tether current driven in both directions—power and thrust modes (PMG, 1993). Various types of tethers and systems can be used for space transportation. Short electrodynamic tethers can use solar power to “push” against a planetary magnetic field to achieve propulsion without the expenditure of propellant. The planned Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS) experiment will demonstrate electrodynamic tether thrust during its flight in early 2000. Utilizing completely different physical principles, long nonconducting tethers can exchange momentum between two masses in orbit to place one body into a higher orbit or a transfer orbit for lunar and planetary missions. Recently completed system studies of this concept indicate that it would be a relatively low-cost, in-space asset with long-term, multimission capability. Tethers can also be used to support space science by providing a mechanism for precision formation flying and for reaching regions of the upper atmosphere that were previously inaccessible.