The TSS-1R Electrodynamic Tether Experiment: Scientific and Technological Results

The Tethered Satellite System (TSS) program was designed to provide the opportunity to explore certain space plasma-electrodynamic processes (associated with high-voltage bodies and electrical currents in space) and the orbital mechanics of a gravity-gradient stabilized system of two satellites linked by a long conducting tether. A unique data set was obtained during the TSS-1 R mission in which the tether emf and current reached values in excess of 3500 volts and 1 amp, respectively. The insight this has allowed into the current collection process and the physics of high-voltage plasma sheaths is significant. Previous theoretical models of current collection were electro-static assuming that the orbital motion of the system, which is highly sub-sonic with respect to electron thermal motion, was unimportant. This may still be acceptable for the case of relatively slow-moving sounding rockets. However, the TSS-1 R results show that motion relative to the plasma does affect current collection and must be accounted for in orbiting systems.