Three-dimensional dynamics and control of tether-connected N-body systems☆

Abstract General three-dimensional motion of tethered N-body systems is considered. The equations of motion derived are valid for large motion, variable length and arbitrary orbit, but the tethers are assumed to be massless and straight. It is shown that the out-of-plane libration frequencies are always related to the in-plane librational frequencies by the relation ( ω o j Ω 2 =( ω i j Ω ) 2 + 1 , j = 1, 2, …, N − 1, where Ω is the orbital frequency. Typical transient response of three-body tethered systems is shown. Possible reel rate laws to control both in-plane and out-of-plane motions are presented.