The lifetime of space tether systems in orbit around the Earth

The survivability analysis carried out to support the design of a new tether system, being studied in Italy for spacecraft and upper stages end-of-life de-orbiting, is presented. In particular, the problem represented by meteoroids and orbital debris impacts able to cut the tether was addressed, by considering several system configurations in order to find a solution able to meet the baseline mission requirements. In addition, the not negligible collision risk with large intact space objects, and between the tethers themselves, was analysed as well in its implications.