The TIPS satellite was deployed on 20 June 1996 at an altitude
of 1,022 kilometers (552 nautical miles). This experiment is
designed to increase knowledge about gravity-gradient tether
dynamics and the survivability of tethers in space. (Tethers can
be severed by space debris.) The National Reconnaissance Office
(NRO) is a sponsor of the TiPS program. While tethers have been
theoretically studied as a means for satellite stabilization,
propulsion, and electricity generation for some time, TiPS is
among the first successful tether deployments in space and is
the first experiment designed for long duration.
Additional information available at
http://projects.nrl.navy.mil/tips/
[Summary provided by U.S. Military]
Group: Platform_Details
Entry_ID: TIPS
Group: Platform_Identification
Platform_Category: Earth Observation Satellites
Short_Name: TIPS
Long_Name: Tether Physics and Survivability
End_Group
Group: Synonymous_Platform_Names
Short_Name: TIPS
End_Group
Group: Platform_Associated_Instruments
Short_Name: RIS
End_Group
Group: Orbit
Orbit_Altitude: 1,022 km
Orbit_Inclination: 63.4 deg
Period: 105 min
Orbit_Type: LEO > Low Earth Orbit > Inclined Non-Polar
End_Group
Creation_Date: 2007-11-28
Online_Resource: http://projects.nrl.navy.mil/tips/
Sample_Image: http://code8100.nrl.navy.mil/programs/images/tips2_corner_lg.jpg
Group: Platform_Logistics
Launch_Date: 1996-06-20
Primary_Sponsor: NASA
End_Group
End_Group (en)