backwards use of the space tether

[jimbob]

The Space tether experiment (http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wtether.html) was supposed to generate electricity for satellites.

Now I am wondering if anyone has had the reverse ides, the space tether motor.

Generating electricity conventionally (photovoltaics?) and then using this in conjunction with a space tether to try altering the orbit of a satelitte.

I am not thinking it would be economically viable (or even work), but the idea just struck me and I thought it was amusing...

Jim

[Crossbow]

As I recall, the Space Tether was to be tested in two ways.

The first was to see if a voltage was generated, and thereby causing the orbit to drop.
And the second was to apply a voltage and see if the orbit increased.

[Jimbo07]

And the second was to apply a voltage and see if the orbit increased.

IIRC, this sort of thing was proposed for boosting orbits, kinda like the OP...

[jimbob]

Doh*, I refer you to Teek's thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=91079)


*referring to me not you two...