The Stability Analysis of a Tether for a Segmented Space Elevator

Abstract

The space elevator system is a space tether system used to solve low-cost space transportation. Its high efficiency, large load and other characteristics have broad application prospects in the aerospace field. The stability analysis is the foundation of the space elevator system research. Based on the new segment space elevator system model, in this paper, the stability of the system at the equilibrium point is analyzed by Lyapunov stability theory; And based on the criterion that the change rate of the system restoring torque and the anchor point tension are greater than 0, the maximum offset angle of the system inside and outside the equatorial plane is analyzed. The results show that the segment space elevator is stable near the equilibrium point; The maximum deflection angle of the space elevator inside and outside the equatorial plane is related to the design stress of the anchor point; When the space elevator is offset outside the equatorial plane, it will only lose stability because the restoring torque reaches the maximum value; When the space elevator is offset in the equatorial plane, and due to the design stress of the anchor point is small, it will lose stability because the tensile force of the anchor point is reduced to 0, and when the design stress of the anchor point is large, it will lose stability because the recovery torque reaches the maximum value; The stability of the space elevator outside the equatorial plane is better than that in the equatorial plane.