Research of equilibrium state of space tether system considering atmospheric drag

Abstract

The equilibrium equations of tether and subsatellite will be given with the consideration of tether mass, tether deformation and atmospheric drag. Space tether system equilibrium state will be obtained through solving the equilibrium equations of tether and subsatellite. In the part of simulation and analysis, two cases will be simulated. One case is that tether length is fixed and subsatellite mass is variable and the other is subsatellite mass is fixed and tether length is variable. The results of equilibrium state, tether tension and tether angle of deviation will be analysed and contrasted. Simulation results provide a reference for choosing the parameters of tether system in future space applications.