Study of an orbiting tethered dumbbell system having positive orbital energyFor very long tethered systems the sum of the kinetic and potential energy can be positive. The system remains in a circular orbit as long as the masses remain vertically aligned. The system is unstable without constant control of the alignment. If the upper mass rotates forward in the direction of the orbital motion, the system escapes out of orbit. If the upper mass rotates backward, the system falls out of orbit and the lower mass impacts the body around which the system is orbiting.
Document ID
19890056007
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Arnold, David A. (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1988
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Intl. Conference on Space Tethers for Science in the Space Station Era