Abstract
The tethered motion of two satellites in a geocentric orbit is discussed. The main satellite moves in a circular orbit at an altitude of 200-250 km above the surface of the earth, and the probe satellite, joined to the main satellite by a thin cable, moves at an altitude of 100-150 km. The probe satellite is assumed to be a point mass in the investigation of the dynamics of the system, and the cable is assumed to be a stretchable and ponderable flexible filament. The aerodynamic forces acting on the probe and cable are taken into account. Time-independent motions of the system consist of its uniform revolution as a rigid body about the earth. The stability of these time-independent motions is investigated. The constraints imposed on the cable parameters by the requirement of stability turn out to be more rigorous than the constraints on the strength of the cable.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 544-551 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Cosmic Research |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| State | Published - Sep 1984 |