A low earth orbit skyhook tether transportation systemThis paper discusses the design concept of a structure, called the Skyhook Tether Transportation System (STTS) which may be used to transport mass to higher or lower orbits or to capture objects from higher or lower orbits. An analysis is presented for the possibility of the STTS to perform the function of transporting masses suborbitally, capturing the objects, and then releasing them to a higher orbit, the GEO, the moon, or for an escape. It is shown that, although the possibility of such a system is limited by the tether strength, even a modest system can yield considerable benefits in propellant savings if it is used in combination with chemical propulsion.
Document ID
19890025280
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Penzo, Paul A. (California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States)