A simulation of an orbiting single tether system composed of two subsatellites and a connecting tether is developed. The dynamics of the tethered system is modelled using a series of mass beads interconnected by springs and dash pots. The bead model allows the tether to become slack (no tension) and to deform to an arbitrary shape. Simulation results are presented and discussed for two types of motion: (1) tether vibrations and (2) end mass retrieval.
T. Yasaka and T. Hatsuda, "Geostationary Tether Satellite Systems and its Application to Communication Systems," IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems , Vol. 24, No.1, January 1988, pp. 68-75.
2.
M. Greene, C.C. Rupp, J. Walls, D. Wheelock, and A. Lorenzoni, "Feasibility Assessment of the Get-Away Tether Experiment," The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 35, No.1, January-March 1987, pp. 97-118.
3.
W.A. Baracat and C.L. Butner, Tethers in Space Handbook, NASA contract number NASW-3921, August 1986.
4.
P.A. Penzo, "Overview of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Tether Activities," Tethers in Space Toward Flight, The Third International Conference on Tethers in Space, May 17-19, 1989, San Francisco, California.
5.
M. Greene, D. Gwaltney, G. Stover, D. Kromann, and J. Walls, "Get Away Tether Experiment (GATE) for the Tether Dynamics Explorer (TDE) Series," Tethers in Space Toward Flight, The Third International Conference on Tetners in Space, May 17-19, 1989, San Francisco, California.
6.
A.K. Misra and V.J. Modi, "A Survey of the Dynamics and Control of Tethered Satellite Systems ," Proceedings of the International Conference on Tethers in Space, September 17-19,1986, Arlington, Virginia.
7.
P.M. Bainum and V.K. Kumar, "Optimal Control of the Shuttle-Tethered System," Acta Astronautica, Vol. 7, No. 12, 1980, pp. 1333-1348.
8.
A.K. Misra, D.M. Xu, and V.J. Modi, "On Vibrations of Orbiting Tethers", Acta Astronautica , Vol. 13, No. 10, 1986, pp.587-597.
9.
S. Bergamaschi, S. Cusinato, and A. Sinopoli, "A Continuous Model for Tether Elastic Vibrations in TSS," Proceedings of the AIAA 24th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, January 6-9,1986, Reno, Nevada.
10.
L. Liagdong and P.M. Bainum, "Effect of Tether Flexibility on the Tethered Shuttle Subsatellite Stability and Control," Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Tethers in Space, Venice, Italy, October 4-8, 1987.
11.
L.R. Kirschner , The SKYHOOK Program, A Software Package for a Tethered Satellite System, including Electrodynamic Interactions, Contract Report, Contract Number NAS8-33691, Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts , May 1980.
12.
D.D. Lang, GTOSS Reference Manuals, Version D.1, April 1987.
13.
J.A. Carroll and C.M. Alexander, SEDS, The Small Expendable-Tether Deployment System, Final Report, Contract Number NAS8-35256, December 1987.
14.
H. Goldstein , Classical Mechanics, Addison-Wesley ,1980.
15.
J.A. Carroll , Guidebook for Analysis of Tether Applications , Final Report on Contract RH4-394049 with Martin Marietta Corporation, March 1985.
16.
E. Scala, "Tether in Space, and Micrometeoroids," Tethers in Space Toward Flight , The Third International Conference on Tethers in Space, May 17-19,1989, San Francisco, California .
17.
M. Greene, J.T. Carter, and C.C. Rupp, "Simulation and Measurement of Disturbance Propagation in a Single Tether System," Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Tethers in Space, Venice, Italy, October 4-8, 1987.
