A long, long time ago it all started
with a thesis work at Delft University of Technology
under the supervision of the Dutch former astronaut:
Prof. Wubbo J. Ockels:
'3 Wubbos' finalizing their thesis on:
StarTrack: A Swinging Tether Assisted Re-entry Through Robust Actively Controlled Kinetics
As students we supported the ESA TATS program: our first tether project experience
P. Merlina, R. Licata, E. Graf, M. Perino, A. Popov, C. Knueppel, P. Tetzlaff, M. Krischke, Wubbo 2, Tether, Wubbo 1, Wubbo 3, I. Ignatieva, O. Sytin
We deployed our first tether in Zero-g using University of Munich/Kayser-Threde's RAPUNZEL deployer,
Together with Dieter Sabath, Werner Kast, Mario Kowalczyk & Manfred Krischke
RAPUNZEL deployer in action during ESA 2nd Student Parabolic Flight organized by Ruimtevaartdispuut (RVD, Delft University of Technology)
Delta-Utec sponsors the Space Girls rowing team
Delta-Utec delivering tether consultancy in Japan
TSSI team of Prof. Fujii (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology, TMIT)
Michiel delivering the finishing touch to Planet B before it's shot to Mars
Delta-Utec exhibitions
Erik & former employee, currently fighter pilot & astronaut-to-be Martin van de Pol at Space Festival 1997, Lachau
Our first major project: proposal & delivery of TEAMSAT's Young Engineers' Satellite
Various stages in the design.
Michiel's impression of TEAM oldies and YES youngsters
Erik bends over to inspect the early mock-up
Ron, Martijn & Gideon working on an early OBC concept
Erik delivers the TEAMSAT box - shrunk to fit
Part of 1997 Delta-Utec [Gideon + Joris! OBC, Martin GPS, the bosses, Eric & Remy (harness), Natascha & Jeffrey (power)]
Tethered Orbit Insertable (TORI) + its name givers
TORI and the absorptive tether attached to TEAM
YES' SEDS barberpole tether brake + space modified QuickCam
Final work on TEAM (front) & YES (rear) at Kourou
TEAMSAT lift-off!
TSE tethered capsule from ISS lands right on the spot.