Patent ID: 6419191
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
An apparatus for changing a state vector of a space object comprising:a space object in space plasma, said space object moving relative to a magnetic field, said magnetic field having magnetic field lines, at least one electrodynamic tether, said tether having a near end and a far end separated by a length, said near end of said tether being mechanically affixed to said space object, said tether being deployed along its length from said space object at least a portion of said deployed length of said tether being electrically conductive, said tether being oriented along its deployed length with respect to said magnetic field lines to at least intermittently interact electrodynamically with said magnetic field lines to produce a flow of electric current in said conductive portion of said tether to produce a force acting on said tether; and tether current control means for controlling said flow of electric current in the conductive portion of said tether to control the magnitude of the electrodynamic interaction of said tether with said magnetic field to control the force acting on the tether to maintain the stability of said tether.