Michel van Pelt explains the principle of space tethers: what they are and how they can be used in space, along with elevators. He introduces space enthusiasts to the possibilities of space tethers including the technological challenges and potential benefits.

Michel van Pelt explains for the first time the principle of space tethers: what they are and how they can be used in space. He introduces non-technical space enthusiasts to the various possibilities and feasibility of space tethers including the technological challenges and potential benefits. He illustrates how, because of their inherent simplicity, space tethers have the potential to make space travel much cheaper, while ongoing advances in tether material technology may make even seemingly far-fetched ideas a reality in the not too distant future.

Autorentext

For the last twelve years, Michel van Pelt has worked as a cost engineer, systems engineer and as Concurrent Design Facility team leader for the technical center of the European Space Agency (ESA) in The Netherlands. He has been involved in many ESA space projects during many different phases, which has given him a unique insight in the definition, conceptual design, development, launch and operation of spacecraft. Specifically, his work in ESA's Concurrent Design Facility for conceptual design studies has given him a deep understanding of the various scientific, technical, financial and political issues and constraints that drive the development of spacecraft, as well as a broad knowledge of innovative ideas for future launchers and space missions. He has written many articles on space and is editor and writer for two Dutch spaceflight magazines. In addition, he regularly gives presentations on space-related topics for student associations, etc. His Copernicus - Praxis book "Space Tourism, Adventures in Earth Orbit and Beyond" was published in 2005, followed by "Space Invaders, How Robotic Spacecraft Explore the Solar System" in 2006, "Space Tethers and Space Elevators" in 2009, and "Rocketing into the Future" in 2012, all published through Springer/Praxis.

Klappentext

On Earth, tethers or ropes or lines are used primarily to bind things to each other. In Space, tethers can also be used to attach spacecraft to each other, but this technology involves much more than simply tying things together. Ropes can also be used to climb, to reach places higher up maybe all the way into space and in fact this concept exists in the form of a space elevator, consisting of a long, incredibly strong cable that stretches from the Earth's surface into space. Solar powered "climber" machines, which are already under development, could use such a cable to haul cargo into orbit.

Space tethers could also be used as a means of transportation, to swing from one place to another. In stories on Earth, Tarzan uses liana vines to swing from tree to tree, and there are many serious ideas for using tethers in space in a somewhat similar way: swinging satellites into another orbit, or even passing them from tether to tether all the way to the Moon and Mars! Although this sounds like science fiction, many space missions using tethers have already flown. Most of them have been relatively small and experimental, but in the near future space tethers have the potential to revolutionize space flight.

Inhalt
Preface.- Introduction.- Limits to Rocket Propulsion.- New Materials.- Tether Types.- Early Experiments.- Into Space.- 12,000,000th Floor: Space.- Earth Orbit.- Spacecraft Stabilization.- Changing Momentum.- Generating Electrical Power.- Into the Solar System.- Technological Challenges.- Conclusion.- Glossary.- Bibliography.- Books and Reports.- Papers, articles and presentations.- Webpages.