Overview of space tether applications: state-of-the-art knowledge and tools

Pardini C

Space tethers  De-orbiting of satellites  Space debris 

Based on current accessible and available literature and information from experts as well, this overview will outline the state-of-the-art knowledge and studies concerning the use of space tethers to de-orbit spacecraft. A short tutorial on some key aspects of space tether concepts and application perspectives will be provided, while introducing and discussing some theoretical and technical problems to be investigated and solved before such a debris mitigation strategy can be adopted and implemented.