Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32320: The SPHERES Tether Demo: Connecting Satellites in Orbit

What if we could link satellites together with tethers and use that connection to perform complex maneuvers or stabilize their positions? That’s the question the SPHERES Tether Demo set out to answer on the ISS.

Developed by Airbus DS Space Systems with guidance from Principal Investigator Hans Zachrau of Nanoracks, the Tether Demo utilized the SPHERES satellite platform to explore the dynamics of tethered systems in microgravity. Tethers can be used in space for power generation, communication, and even propulsion, so understanding how they behave in orbit is crucial.

During the demo, SPHERES satellites were connected via lightweight tethers and set into motion. The experiment studied how the connected satellites responded to forces, how the tethers stretched or oscillated, and how control algorithms managed these dynamics.

The findings are applicable to future satellite swarms, where multiple spacecraft need to move in coordinated ways. Tethered systems could also support debris capture missions or satellite servicing, where one satellite assists another via a physical link.

This experiment also laid the groundwork for tether applications in planetary exploration and space elevators.

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