Modelling, Dynamics and Control of Tethered Satellite Systems

Tethered satellite systems (TSS) pose quite challenging problems concerning their modelling, derivation of the equations of motion, numerical simulation of their dynamics, deciding on stability of relative equilibria provided the system moves on a circular orbit around the Earth and the occurrence of chaotic dynamics. Moreover, for the processes of deployment or retrieval of one satellite from or to another satellite certain control strategies, for example time or energy optimal control, are necessary. All these problems are considered in this paper.