Benefits of tether momentum transfer to Space Station operations

A full solar cycle (1994-2004) is analyzed to study tether and nontether Space Station operations. The Space Station yearly altitude variation for the two approaches are investigated; it is observed that the optimum tether approach provides greater benefits that the nontether approach due to the cargon weight gain associated with the preferred low altitudes of the optimum variable altitude tether approach. The advantages provided by the combining a variable altitude/OTV launch approach are discussed. The baseline and tethered Shuttle deployments are compared and the design and capabilities of the deployer system are examined.