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From: dietz@SLB-DOLL.CSNET (Paul Dietz)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Another Use for Tethers
Message-ID: <8601101806.AA00639@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Fri, 10-Jan-86 11:06:31 EST
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8601101806.AA00639
Posted: Fri Jan 10 11:06:31 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Jan-86 06:56:00 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 9

Even if they aren't used for launching things, tethers may be very
useful for generating angular momentum in spinning space structures.
For example, a space station could be spun up by extending two very
long cables with small reaction engines on the ends.  The cables would
be spun up and, because of the long moment arms, would acquire large
amounts of angular momentum.  An electric motor anchored to the cables
at the hub could then spin up the station, gradually slowing the cables.
When the cables are stationary they would be retracted.  This is much
more mass efficient than using reaction engines on the space station itself.