Tethered Satellite Missions

This lecture discusses the real tether mission proposed by the Italian Space Agency to NASA in 1979, focusing on the deployment of a 20-kilometer conductive tether from the space shuttle, the challenges faced during the mission, and the unexpected outcomes, including the demonstration of the exchange of angular momentum. Despite encountering issues such as tether oscillations and a tether cut, the mission provided valuable insights into the dynamics of tethered satellite systems and the potential applications of tethers in space. The lecture also highlights the significance of gravity gradients in maintaining the orientation of the tether along the local vertical and emphasizes the importance of further exploration of tether technology for future spaceflight endeavors.