Moon & Mars Orbiting Spinning Tether Transport - Tethers Unlimited

4 Ground Rules & AssumptionsThis section defines ground rules and assumptions to be used in concept definition and assessment. It alsoprovides guidance for element-level requirements.4.1 Safety FactorThe structural safety factor shall be two times the highest expected stress.Where the maximum stress is not known, the structure shall be designed for three times the nominal steadystatestress.4.2 Economic Analysis WindowThe economic analysis window shall be 10 years from the 1 st launch after full-up system authority toproceed.4.3 Power SourceThe primary power source for long-term orbiting elements shall be solar. On-board energy storage ispermitted.4.4 Primary PropulsionElectrodynamic propulsion shall be the primary mode of propulsion for the LEO Tether Facility.4.5 PAA Role in Rendezvous & GrappleThe PAA shall cooperate in meeting the grapple.This could include position and speed control, or just attitude control, or just transmission of navigationdata, or (conceivably) no action.4.6 Tether Control Station Reeling RateIf the Tether Control Station reels in the tether, the reeling rate shall not be required to exceed 2 m/s.4.7 Tether Control Station Thermal ControlThe Tether Control Station shall use passive thermal control.