Difference between revisions of "Tug"
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A '''tug''' is a special mostly remote controlled [[craft]], which actuates another craft or modules on different [[orbit]]s. The main reason of their employment is the option of the leaving the moved module in a passive state. The tugs can neither leave the surface nor land on it, they need a [[launch vehicle]] for getting into orbit. Their [[fuel transfer|refueling]] always happens in orbit by [[docking]] to a craft. The tug is typically a reusable craft. | A '''tug''' is a special mostly remote controlled [[craft]], which actuates another craft or modules on different [[orbit]]s. The main reason of their employment is the option of the leaving the moved module in a passive state. The tugs can neither leave the surface nor land on it, they need a [[launch vehicle]] for getting into orbit. Their [[fuel transfer|refueling]] always happens in orbit by [[docking]] to a craft. The tug is typically a reusable craft. | ||
| − | There are two main types of the tugs: '''orbital''' and the '''inter planetary'''. The [[orbital tug]] is a kind of "orbital forklift" used for assembling [[space station]]s or bigger [[spaceship]]s, relocating [[satellite]]s or removing the [[debris]] from the orbit. | + | There are two main types of the tugs: '''orbital''' and the '''inter planetary'''. The [[orbital tug]] is a kind of "orbital forklift" used for assembling [[space station]]s or bigger [[spaceship]]s, relocating [[satellite]]s or removing the [[debris]] from the orbit. Some orbital tugs are able to carry whole crafts for mission to different [[celestial body|celestials]] and return to starting orbit. There are also [[asteroid]] capturing tugs. The re-usability doesn't mean strictly single stage: drop tanks can also be attached to the docking ports, and as those drop tanks have control capacity and engines with fuel provision, they can also return for reuse. |
| − | The [[specific impulse|efficiency]] of the engines of these crafts - beside the proper thrust - has a key role. Therefore the [[LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor|LV-N]] is widely used in these crafts. The [[payload]] has to be attached rigidly, the employment of the [[docking#Multi-port docking|multi-ports]] and the big [[Clamp-O-Tron Sr. Docking Port]] is recommended. The stress capability of the port limits the acceleration and the mass of the payload, and so the maximal safe thrust depended on the ratio of the weights. Naturally, | + | The [[specific impulse|efficiency]] of the engines of these crafts - beside the proper thrust - has a key role. Therefore the [[LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor|LV-N]] is widely used in these crafts. The [[payload]] has to be attached rigidly, the employment of the [[docking#Multi-port docking|multi-ports]] and the big [[Clamp-O-Tron Sr. Docking Port]] is recommended. The stress capability of the port limits the acceleration and the mass of the payload, and so the maximal safe thrust depended on the ratio of the weights. Naturally, most tugs have [[RCS]] capability. |
[[Category:Craft]] | [[Category:Craft]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:29, 26 July 2018
A tug is a special mostly remote controlled craft, which actuates another craft or modules on different orbits. The main reason of their employment is the option of the leaving the moved module in a passive state. The tugs can neither leave the surface nor land on it, they need a launch vehicle for getting into orbit. Their refueling always happens in orbit by docking to a craft. The tug is typically a reusable craft.
There are two main types of the tugs: orbital and the inter planetary. The orbital tug is a kind of "orbital forklift" used for assembling space stations or bigger spaceships, relocating satellites or removing the debris from the orbit. Some orbital tugs are able to carry whole crafts for mission to different celestials and return to starting orbit. There are also asteroid capturing tugs. The re-usability doesn't mean strictly single stage: drop tanks can also be attached to the docking ports, and as those drop tanks have control capacity and engines with fuel provision, they can also return for reuse.
The efficiency of the engines of these crafts - beside the proper thrust - has a key role. Therefore the LV-N is widely used in these crafts. The payload has to be attached rigidly, the employment of the multi-ports and the big Clamp-O-Tron Sr. Docking Port is recommended. The stress capability of the port limits the acceleration and the mass of the payload, and so the maximal safe thrust depended on the ratio of the weights. Naturally, most tugs have RCS capability.
