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From: throopw@dg_rtp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Another Use for Tethers
Message-ID: <98@dg_rtp.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 19-Jan-86 19:22:36 EST
Article-I.D.: dg_rtp.98
Posted: Sun Jan 19 19:22:36 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jan-86 07:28:07 EST
References: <8601161312.AA15050@s1-b.arpa>
Lines: 18

Seems to me there is a much better, and far more efficent method of
using tethers to spin up (or down) a space station or satellite, using
tidal forces.  Might take a while, but so it goes.

The notion is to extend two tether ends (with some small mass or other
on each) away from the station, one primaryward, the other
anti-primaryward.  Tidal forces will produce a tension on the string.
Then merely use a solar powered eletcric motor (with the tension on the
tether as an "anchor") to spin up the station, and an electric generator
to spin it down.  No fuss, no muss, no reaction mass, and you can even
get some or most of your energy back by spinning the station back down.

In fact, isn't this method used (at least partly) to stabilize the space
telescope?  I had read where at least some satellites were stabilized
using this method, but I may be remembering some fictional scenario...
-- 
Wayne Throop at Data General, RTP, NC
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