Session
Technical Session VII: New Technology Advances
Abstract
This paper presents results of a study currently being performed at Stanford University sponsored by NASA/Goddard Space Station Small Attached Payloads. The use of tethers as a means of dynamic isolation for small attached payloads shows promise in reducing orbital maneuvering vehicle requirements to service co-orbiting facilities while still providing a stable contamination-free platform for precision pointing instruments. Thethers may also be used as a means of deorbiting small sample return vehicles. These return vehicles might be dedicated small experiment carriers for a specific mission and require little manned interaction, or they might be loaded with experimental samples for de-orbit and reentry. Another application lies in electrodynamic tether research for ionospheric and vehicle charging and potential studies to continue the effort initiated with the Space Shuttle Tethered Satellite System. The study focuses on defining the issues and resource requirements for small tethered payloads. Areas highlighted include attachment and structural interfaces, communication and data handling facilities, power and electrical interfaces, and dynamics and proximity operations issues.
Operation of a Small Tethered Payload
This paper presents results of a study currently being performed at Stanford University sponsored by NASA/Goddard Space Station Small Attached Payloads. The use of tethers as a means of dynamic isolation for small attached payloads shows promise in reducing orbital maneuvering vehicle requirements to service co-orbiting facilities while still providing a stable contamination-free platform for precision pointing instruments. Thethers may also be used as a means of deorbiting small sample return vehicles. These return vehicles might be dedicated small experiment carriers for a specific mission and require little manned interaction, or they might be loaded with experimental samples for de-orbit and reentry. Another application lies in electrodynamic tether research for ionospheric and vehicle charging and potential studies to continue the effort initiated with the Space Shuttle Tethered Satellite System. The study focuses on defining the issues and resource requirements for small tethered payloads. Areas highlighted include attachment and structural interfaces, communication and data handling facilities, power and electrical interfaces, and dynamics and proximity operations issues.
