Patent ID: 7712706
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
1. A method of dampening dynamic responses of a structure coupled to a satellite that orbits around the earth, comprising: determining predicted dynamic responses of the structure anticipated during a flight of the satellite in the orbit, the predicted dynamic responses to define a predicted response volume that includes space that the structure, when deflected in dynamic responses, occupies; determining a containment volume and associated allowable dynamic responses of the structure anticipated during the flight, the containment volume being a subset of the predicted response volume; selecting a tether to couple between a first attachment location on the structure and a second attachment location on a body of the satellite or the structure, wherein a length of the tether provides an unloaded configuration when the structure is within the containment volume and restricts the structure from deflecting out of the containment volume; and coupling the tether to the structure at the first attachment location and to the body of the satellite at the second attachment location.