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TAGS II: Tether Electrodynamic Spinup and Survivability Experiment (TESSX)

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNM04AB20C
Agency Tracking Number: 020047
Amount: $500,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1212 Fourier Drive
Madison, WI 53717
United States
DUNS: 196894869
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Daniel Gramer
 Principal Investigator
 (608) 827-5000
 gramerd@orbitec.com
Business Contact
 Eric Rice
Title: President & CEO
Phone: (608) 827-5000
Email: koffarnusl@orbitec.com
Research Institution
 University of Texas at Dallas
 Robert Lovitt
 
Physics Department
Richardson, TX 75083
United States

 (972) 883-2314
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

ORBITEC, working in cooperation with The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), and others, proposes to develop TAGS II: Tether Electrodynamic Spinup and Survivability Experiment (TESSX). TESSX is a spinning tethered space system, consisting of two end masses separated by an electrodynamic tether. TESSX is believed to be a critically important step in the evolution of several tether applications, addressing: tether electrodynamics; tether survivability and safety; tether deployment, management and tracking; multi-amp current collection and emission; and system deployment and spin-up. The resulting TESSX hardware, software, analysis and other technologies will have direct application to the Tethered Artificial Gravity Spacecraft (TAGS), Tether Reboost System (TRS) and Momentum-eXchange Electrodynamic Reboost (MXER) for in-space propulsion, and other tethered systems. The Phase II program will draw on the successful results of the Phase I work and include: the development and delivery to NASA of a multi-strand computer controlled tether deployment system; detailed TESSX systems dynamics and electrodynamics analysis and experimental verification; development of a detailed and optimized TESSX architecture, compatible with ELV constraints; a Phase III TESSX cost analysis and development plan; and commercial applications planning.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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