Dynamic behavior of electrodynamic tether deorbit system on elliptical orbit and its control by Lorentz force

This study presents the analytical results of the dynamic behavior of an electrodynamic tether applied to a deorbit system in elliptical orbits. Parametric analyses of tether dynamics with variations in the ballast mass, the mass of the mother ship, and the tether length were performed in order to determine the range of eccentricity of the elliptical orbit in which the deorbit mission is possible. In addition, a new method for stabilizing the tether dynamics by regulating the tether current was proposed in order to expand the limit of eccentricity of the elliptical orbit in which the deorbit mission can be performed. The duration of the deorbit mission and the possibility of the tether being cut by debris during the mission were also analyzed in order to demonstrate the deorbit performance of the system.