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US 10,538,857 B2Granted
Modular space tether
AssigneeModular Space Tether, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Malek, Nigel E. Sharp, Annemarie Heijna, Philip Chow
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AssigneeModular Space Tether, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Malek, Nigel E. Sharp, Annemarie Heijna, Philip Chow
Estimating the term…
A tether for joining objects in space by centripetal force has a modular architecture. The modular architecture facilitates the deployment of the tether by facilitating its transport into space as unassembled modular components and its assembly in situ, after the components have been transported. The modular architecture also facilitates it repair, modification, and disassembly in situ. More particularly, the modular tether has design features that enable its assembly, repair, modification, and/or disassembly in situ while the modular tether remains under tension, i.e., while the modular tether continues to perform its function of joining two or more objects by the application of centripetal force. The modular architecture also enables new tether modalities, e.g., a tensile strength modality, a winch modality, a tension monitoring modality, a repair state modality, a situational awareness modality, and a temperature control modality.
A modular tether for applying centripetal tension, the modular tether comprising:
A process for increasing the tensile strength of a modular tether, the process comprising the following steps:
A process for decreasing the tensile strength of a modular tether, the process comprising the following steps:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.