Space Tethers for Limiting the Dynamic Response of Structures

A system comprising:

• a structure including a base member;
• a elongated structure coupled at one end to the base member;
• and
• an elongated flexible tether attached to the base member and at least one of the elongated structure and base member, the tether configured to be in a non-taut configuration when the substructure moves within a design volume with respect to the base member, the tether being further configured to be in a taut position when the substructure displaces to a limit of the design volume.

A method of dampening dynamic response of a space structure, comprising:

• determining the structure predicted deformation during a mission;
• determining a design volume for allowable dynamic response of the structure during the mission;
• configuring an elongated flexible tether suitable for coupling between two attachment locations on the structure, including:
• determining at least two attachment points on the structure for the tether;
• determining a tether design length, the design length configured to provide a non-taut tether configuration when the structure is within the design volume;
• and
• attaching the tether to the structure.