Estimation of parameters of the space tethered system for stable load transportation along the tether

In this work the problem of stability of the space tethered system for load transportation along the tether is considered. The whole system is designed to “clean” orbits of space debris. The system consists of a «big » satellite moving along a circular or slightly elliptical orbit (orbital station or some satellite for orbital missions where fragments of space debris can be captured), two endmasses (counterweights, space debris hubs) and tethers between them. Containers (loads) with space debris can be transported along the tethers. One of the main problems of stable working of the whole system and load transportation is longitudinal and transverse wave propagation and vibrations of the tethers. The conditions on the system parameters (initial speed, masses of system's parts) are obtained for stable movement of the containers and the tethers. Analytical research for conditions of the system for stable load transportation along the tether was made using non-linear partial differential equations for tether movement. •Stability of the space tethered system for load transportation along the tether is considered.•Whole system is designed to “clean off” space debris from orbits.•Conditions on the system parameters are obtained guaranteeing stability of tethers.