Abstract
This paper investigates the effects of separation strategy and parameters related to deployment on the dynamic behavior of multitethered chain-type satellite system. The system, including several satellites connected by tethers which are considered as massless and straight, is modeled as an extension of a two-body dumbbell tethered system. The dynamic equations of system in absence of perturbations and external disturbances are derived using Newtonian Method. To observe the effect of deployment rate on the motion of system, a parametric analysis of the deployment of a three-body tethered system with different deployment rates is carried out. Moreover, a four-body tethered system is used to investigate the effect of separation strategies on the dynamic behavior of system during the deployment phase. The numerical results suggest that the system with simultaneous separation costs less time to complete the deployment. If the ratio of deployment rates is in consistence with that of their desired lengths, the tethers deployed simultaneously would have a synchronous motion. It is also observed that the system employing separation bolt has a better performance than the system separated by spring mechanism since the larger separation velocity which is not along local vertical may cause a rotation.
Highlights
Tethered satellite system (TSS) is an interesting concept, made up of several satellites linked by the means of tethers, and has received increasing attention due to its potential for many important space applications [1], such as investigation of planetary atmosphere, micro-gravity experiments, energy transmission, orbit maneuvers, orbit maintenances, and space formations as platform for interferometry
This paper investigates the effects of separation strategy and parameters related to deployment on the dynamic behavior of multitethered chain-type satellite system
This paper investigates the effects of separation strategy and deployment rate on the dynamic behavior of multitethered
Summary
Tethered satellite system (TSS) is an interesting concept, made up of several satellites linked by the means of tethers, and has received increasing attention due to its potential for many important space applications [1], such as investigation of planetary atmosphere, micro-gravity experiments, energy transmission, orbit maneuvers, orbit maintenances, and space formations as platform for interferometry. Multitethered satellite system has attracted researchers’ attention and has been conceived for several space missions. The multitethered chain-type satellite system could provide the space remote interferometry with single-direction baselines and the objective of this research is to study the affecting factors of its deployment to obtain single-direction baselines. A successful deployment of TSS is the prerequisite for space missions. Much attention has been paid to deployment of TSS and many space experiments were performed in order to investigate the dynamics of TSS and validate the control methods [2, 3]. An optimal control strategy of deployment of a tethered satellite system was developed and compared with free deployment and deployment method of Kissel’s law [6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
