Proposed Space Experiments of Space Tether Technology

Paper number

IAC-05-D1.1.03

Author

Prof. Hironori A. Fujii, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Koh-ichiro Oyama, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Susumu Sasaki, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Yoshiki Yamagiwa, Shizuoka University, Japan

Coauthor

Associate Professor Tohru Hada, Kyushu University, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Mengu Cho, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Alain Hilgers, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Masayoshi Y. Tanaka, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Mario Charro, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain

Year

2005

Abstract

Authors: H. A. Fujii (TMIT), C. Satoh (Nihon U.), K. Oyama(JAXA), S. Sasaki(JAXA), Y. Yamagiwa(Sizuoka University), M. Cho (KIT), T. Hada (Kiushu University), M. Tanaka (N. Inst. for Fusion Science), M. Inutake (Tohoku University), J.P.Lebreton (ESA), Alain Hilgers (ESA), J. Sanmartin (University of Madrid), M. Charro (Spanish Airforce), M. Kruijff (Delta-Utec SRC), E.J. van der Heide (Delta-Utec SRC)
Abstract: Two space experimental projects are introduced concerning to the scientific and engineering verification of space tether technology.  One project is to employ a sounding rocket in a ballistic flight and extending 1km bare tape tether.  The other is to employ a small satellite on a cirsular orbit with the altitude 600km enough higher than the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) and for a short time periods of as about two weeks in order to prevent possible interaction with the ISS. The object of these two proposals is to verify the space tether technology, which is believed to be useful in our future space development from both of the scientific and engineering aspects.  The present proposals are devoted to study some major applications of the space technology, both useful for the engineering mission and also interesting for the scientific study.

The bare electrodynamic tether is proposed in the sounding rocket experiment as two options for the mission, one is much fundamental to make measurement on the bare tether (option 1), and the other is to use the bare tether as an atmospheric probe (option 2) and is more costly since the attitude control of the rocket and the payload is necessary. However there is an additional added scientific value to option 2: proof of concept for measurements of the e-layer density. If proven, this could lead to a longer LEO mission scanning nightly the e-layer density and therewith map very solidly this region. The first option, Option 1, is bare tether experiment and the other one, Option 2, is devoted as an atmosphere probe. The difference between the options 1 and 2 is mainly the necessity of the attitude control [alignment] for the rocket and payloads and the switch of power. This proposal addresses two interesting state-of-the-art bare tether experiments suitable for a sounding rocket

The space tether technology is indispensable in constructing and also maintaining large space structures, which are designed for future space development including the solar power satellite and deep space exploitation. Two objects studied in the small satellite proposal are two major indispensable technologies both in the scientific and engineering aspects and will play important roles in the course of the space development.  The proposal is to verify the fundamental technology for such important tether technology as deployment and use of bare conductive tether in space. The objective is to verify the two fundamental and important aspects of the tether technology: One is the orbit elevation without using fuel, and the other is the Alfven wave experiment.

  These two projects towards space tether experiments are introduced in the paper and discussed in detail including the present status for the accomplishment of these projects. The paper will also include discussion of the further future plan to accomplish the space tether technology which will play an important role for our future space activity.

Abstract document

IAC-05-D1.1.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-D1.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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