NASA is going to make reality of a NIAC concept

According to the article "Space tether to send satellites soaring" of the New Scientist ( www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7009 ; quoted by www.wissenschaft.de) NASA is working on a project to use a tether instead of rockets to place satellites in orbits above LEO.

The technique is claimed to be a concept of reusability in space.

Can't that technique be used to decelerate vehicles too? May NASA get into the lead again by this way?

Theoretically the technique can be flying in five to ten years - as estimated for the space elevator too.

What do you think about this project? And should there be private versions, modifications, derivatives of that technique?



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

Is it possible to use such a tether for manned vehicles too? Or would it require too much material or is it impossible at all?

I am thinking about it because I am wondering if an Earth departure stage may be replaced by such a tether. What about it? And might it be a possible by-equipment for an orbital spaceport? A carrier which can approach the spaceport, take something that has undocked from it?



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

Do a search fo "Single Stage To Tether"

Tethers are best used for cyclers as artificial gravity systems--and tethers that reach into an atmosphere below a capsule can slow its progression a bit before breaking.