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TSS-1R Failure Mode Evaluation

NASA NTRS · Conference Paper · 19970021635 · Published 2011-09-08 · Marshall Space Flight Center · 3 authors

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Abstract and citation only, verbatim from NASA NTRS; full text lives there. All credit to the authors and Marshall Space Flight Center.

Abstract

Soon after the break of the tether during the Tethered Satellite System (TSS-1R) mission in February, 1996, a Tiger Team was assembled at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center to determine the tether failure mode. One possible failure scenario was the Kevlar' strength member of the tether failed because of degradation due to electrical discharge or electrical arcing. During the next several weeks, extensive electrical discharge testing in low vacuum and plasma environments was conducted in an attempt to reproduce the electrical activity recorded by on-board science instruments during the mission. The results of these tests are presented in this paper.

Authors

  • Vaughn, Jason A. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
  • McCollum, Matthew B. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
  • Kamenetzky, Rachel R. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Citation

Vaughn, Jason A., McCollum, Matthew B., Kamenetzky, Rachel R. (2011). TSS-1R Failure Mode Evaluation. Marshall Space Flight Center. NASA NTRS ID 19970021635. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19970021635 ↗