Status of tethered satellite system (TSS) development

The Tethered Satellite System (TSS) is a cooperative space system and science development activity being carried out by the U.S. and Italy. The TSS will involve an instrument-laden satellite that can be deployed from the cargo bay of the Shuttle Orbiter using a long tether to altitudes both above and below that of the Orbiter. This paper discusses the predevelopment activities, development approach and management relationships, current hardware and software designs and interfaces, overall science experiment status and plans, and mission operation planning for the first TSS mission.