Dynamic Multibody Modeling for Tethered Space Elevators
- Paper number
IAC-07-D4.1.03
- Author
Dr. Paul Williams, Australia
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The tethered space elevator is a concept that has attracted a lot of interest in recent years. In order for the technology to become a reality, it is inevitable that small-scale technology demonstrators will need to be designed and tested in the space environment. Currently, there are has been little published in the literature dealing with dynamic models for the space elevator, although there has been much published on tether dynamics. This paper presents a fundamental modeling strategy for dealing with powered bodies moving along space tethers. The tether is divided into a large number of discrete masses, which are connected by viscoelastic springs. The tether is subject to the full range of forces expected in Earth orbit in a relatively simple manner. In order to capture the effect of the elevator moving along the tether, the elevator dynamics are included as a separate body, which is subjected to forces from the tether. Numerical simulation results of the effects of the elevator moving along the cable are presented for different cable tensions, elevator masses and travel velocities.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D4.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.