Influence of the End Body Dynamics on Stabilization Processes in the Relative Motion of a Space Tethered System Stabilized by Rotation

Introduction. Space tethered systems (STS) stabilized by rotation is a quite interesting and promising direction in the field of cosmonautics. Such systems are intended for solving a wide range of scientific and research tasks, in particular, those that cannot be solved effectively with the help of the existing space technologies, for example, transport operations, creation of artificial gravity, removal of space debris objects, obtainment of experimental data of functioning tethered systems, etc.
Problem Statement. The peculiarities of the STS dynamics models are determined by the specifics of the problems solved by such systems actual among which is the researches the effects of the end body dynamics on the system motion.
Purpose. To build a mathematical model of the STS dynamics for considering the general regularities of the system motion and to analyze comprehensively the special features of the end body dynamics.
Materials and Methods. The mathematical model of the STS dynamics has been built based on the methods and principles of theoretical mechanics and space flight dynamics. To study the STS dynamics, methods of the theory of oscillations, analytical and numerical integration of differential motion equations have been used.
Results. The simplest model of the STS dynamics consisting of the material point and the end body connected by a tether is presented for the motion under consideration. The possibility of the appearance of internal resonances and their influence on the stabilization processes in the relative motion of the system has been considered.
Conclusions. The proposed model can apply to analyzing the angular oscillation of the end body relative to the tether attachment point, taking into account the effects of the inertial characteristics of the end body, the tether stiffness and the angular velocity of the proper rotation of the system. Practical problems related to the STS dynamics may include the problems of the stability of the end body orientation, resonance modes in the system motion, as well as the problems in creating the prerequisites for the design of the specific STS.

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