Effect of damping on the control dynamics of the Space Shuttle based tethered system

There has been a proposal to use the Space Shuttle (orbiter) as a platform to support a tethered subsatellite system. The vast potential of such a Shuttle-based tethered system has led to many investigations concerning the system dynamics during operational, deployment, and retrieval phases. The present investigation is concerned with a study of the nonlinear dynamics of the system in presence of nutation damping, accounting for the tether mass, the earth's oblateness, and aerodynamic drag in a rotating atmosphere. Based on the results of the conducted analysis, it is concluded that a suitable control strategy in conjunction with an acceptable level of damping will provide a promising approach for resolving the problems associated with the retrieval of a tether supported subsatellite.