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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 2)
NASA is pursuing the deployment of various systems that utilize flexible lightweight high-strength tethers for various space and surface activities including E-Sail, Small Tethered Space Tug, and Tethered Power Systems. New conductors (including metal clad SS and metal clad composite cores) are being developed along with new insulator coatings. As an example, Amberstrand is a composite electrical conductor that is metal clad high temperature Zylon fiber with 7 times the tensile strength of Steel. Amberstrand is commercially woven into sleeves of various diameters and used as Mil-Spec EMI sheathing with superior high frequency performance at elevated temperatures, comparable shielding performance to copper braid while up to 85% lighter than nickel-copper braid. Tests have shown that Amberstrand has similar electrical and corrosion resistance as Stainless Steel in high voltage vacuum plasma testing for E-Sail. These Composite Conductors will allow the construction of power cables and tethers to enable power and data transfer from surface power generators and powered space platforms & vehicles to surface habitats and landers, tether deployers flying in formation around an E-Sail vehicle, or power, command, & sensor data transfer for tether space tugs perform inspections, re-supply cargo AR&C, and orbital debris capture.
Development of lightweight, high-strength flexible power tethers that can be used between two or more space vehicles to Support “GO” and for power transfer from surface power generation landers to habitats, 3D construction printers, or resource processors to support “LIVE”. Two such technology gaps have been identified by STMD, the first is Propulsion Gap STMD-Prop-022 or S5-G1 for “Unique Platforms: Sails & Tethers” and the second is for Power Gap STMD-Power-002 for “>300V Power Transmission Cabling” supporting GCD Tethered Power Systems. With the availability of high-strength lightweight power tethers, more tether length can be stored on a given reel and used to: 1) enable tethered space tugs to inspect, perform AR&C using a host vehicle’s power, and safely start removing Orbital debris 2) use electric CubeSat space Tugs to deploy and maintain the formation of E-Sails’ tethers 3) transfer the power from centralized lunar power sources to the planned stationary and mobile users.
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