Electrodynamic Tether - Uses For ED Tethers

Uses For ED Tethers

Over the years, numerous applications for electrodynamic tethers have been identified for potential use in industry, government, and scientific exploration. The table below is a summary of some of the potential applications proposed thus far. Some of these applications are general concepts, while others are well-defined systems. Many of these concepts overlap into other areas; however, they are simply placed under the most appropriate heading for the purposes of this table. All of the applications mentioned in the table are elaborated upon in the Tethers Handbook. Three fundamental concepts that tethers possess, that will be discussed within this thesis are gravity gradients, momentum exchange, and electrodynamics. Potential Tether Applications can be seen below: