Controlled deployment of a long tether to operate as a partial space elevator

Jinbang Huang; Arun K. Misra

doi:10.1007/s42064-024-0225-5

| Sign up

Article Link

Cite

EndNote(RIS) BibTeX

Collect

Submit Manuscript

Show Outline

Outline

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Keywords

References

Show full outline

Hide outline

Research Article

Controlled deployment of a long tether to operate as a partial space elevator

Jinbang Huang, Arun K. Misra()

Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C3, Canada

Show Author Information

Graphical Abstract

View original image Download original image

Abstract

The deployment of a long tether to operate as a partial space elevator, starting from a nucleus in geostationary orbit, is studied. Uncontrolled deployment is an inherently unstable process because the center of orbit gradually decreases from the geostationary altitude when deployment progresses. It is also observed that the elasticity of the tether has an important effect on deployment stability. It is shown that the application of a transverse force on the main spacecraft, determined by using linear state feedback and appropriate gains, can stabilize the deployment. An LQR controller is developed. Simulations of the dynamics of the system are carried out using this controller for various parametric values of tether elasticity, deployment rates, etc., to evaluate the efficacy of the controller.

Keywords

tether space elevator deployment stability control

References

[1]

Swan, P. A., Raitt, D. I., Swan, C. W., Penny, R. E., Knapman, J. M. Space Elevators: An Assessment of the Technological Feasibility and the Way Forward. Paris: International Academy of Astronautics, 2013.

[2]

Edwards, B. C., Westling, E. A. The Space Elevator: A Revolutionary Earth-to-Space Transportation System. Houston: BC Edwards, 2003.

[3]

Okino, T., Yamagiwa, Y., Arita, S., Ishikawa, Y., Otsuka, K. Three-dimensional analysis of a counterweight type space elevator. Acta Astronautica, 2021, 185: 132–139.

Crossref Google Scholar

[4]

Woo, P., Misra, A. K. Dynamics of a partial space elevator with multiple climbers. Acta Astronautica, 2010, 67(7–8): 753–763.

Crossref Google Scholar

[5]

Rupp, C. C. A tether tension control law for tethered subsatellites deployed along local vertical. NASA TMX-64963. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, USA, 1975.

[6]

Misra, A. K. Dynamics and control of tethered satellite systems. Acta Astronautica, 2008, 63(11–12): 1169–1177.

Crossref Google Scholar

[7]

Wang, C. Q., Zakrzhevskyi, O. E. Deployment of a space tether in a centrifugal force field with alignment to the local vertical. Technical Mechanics, 2024, 2024(1): 26–39.

Crossref Google Scholar

[8]

Mantri, P. Deployment dynamics of space tether systems. Ph.D. Dissertation. Raleigh, NC, USA: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2007.

[9]

Takeichi, N. Geostationary station keeping control of a space elevator during initial cable deployment. Acta Astronautica, 2012, 70: 85–94.

Crossref Google Scholar

[10]

Lorenzini, E. C., Bettanini, C., Colombatti, G., Valmorbida, A. Energy and orbital stability in a partially-deployed Earth space elevator. Acta Astronautica, 2020, 177: 828–833.

Crossref Google Scholar

[11]

Shi, G. F., Zhu, Z. H., Li, G. Q. Stable cargo transportation of partial space elevator with multiple actuators. Advances in Space Research, 2021, 68(7): 2999–3011.

Crossref Google Scholar

[12]

Shi, G. F., Zhu, Z. H. Prescribed performance based dual-loop control strategy for configuration keeping of partial space elevator in cargo transportation. Acta Astronautica, 2021, 189: 241–249.

Crossref Google Scholar

[13]

Shi, G. F., Zhu, Z. H. Libration-free cargo transfer of floating space elevator. Nonlinear Dynamics, 2022, 110(3): 2263–2281.

Crossref Google Scholar

[14]

Cohen, S. S., Misra, A. K. Elastic oscillations of the space elevator ribbon. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 2007, 30(6): 1711–1717.

Crossref Google Scholar

[15]

Keshmiri, M., Misra, A. K. Near optimal deployment of a space elevator system. Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, 2013, 146: 243–249.

Google Scholar

Astrodynamics

Volume 8 Issue 2,
June 2024

Pages 311-321

DOI: 10.1007/s42064-024-0225-5

Cite this article:

Huang J, Misra AK. Controlled deployment of a long tether to operate as a partial space elevator. Astrodynamics, 2024, 8(2): 311-321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-024-0225-5