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Dynamics of a Tether System Connected to an Irregularly Shaped Celestial Body

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Abstract

The problem of pendular oscillations of a tether attached to an irregularly shaped celestial body is studied in this paper. The dynamic analysis of the system is performed by examining the phase plane trajectories. The effect of the tether length as well as the higher order terms in the gravitational potential of the celestial body on the tether dynamics is investigated. It is demonstrated that consideration of the finite size of the celestial body can have significant effects on the tether dynamics, while the effect of the asphericity of the celestial body on the tether dynamics is negligible. This study is of practical relevance for asteroid deflection using tethers, as well as for the development of space elevators on small planets/moons.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King’s College Road, M5S 3G8, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Mohammad Jalali Mashayekhi

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, H3A 0C3, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Arun K. Misra

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

    Mehdi Keshmiri

Authors
  1. Mohammad Jalali Mashayekhi
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  2. Arun K. Misra
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  3. Mehdi Keshmiri
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Correspondence to Mohammad Jalali Mashayekhi.

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Jalali Mashayekhi, M., K. Misra, A. & Keshmiri, M. Dynamics of a Tether System Connected to an Irregularly Shaped Celestial Body. J of Astronaut Sci 63, 206–220 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40295-016-0088-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40295-016-0088-y

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