AAS 97-605
DYNAMICS OF A TETHER SLING
S.N. Kuchnicki, S.G. Tragesser, J.M. Longuski - Purdue University
Abstract
This paper explores the dynamic behavior of a tether sling facility both during deployment of the tether and after it has been fully extended. Equations of motion for a rigid model of the tapered tether sling are derived, assuming the facility is stationed on a small moon (e.g., Phobos) with negligible gravitational and drag effects. Simple tether sling design rules and control laws are developed and used to assess the feasibility of the concept. The positive results obtained indicate that the tether sling has exciting implications for an inexhaustible space transportation system.