Subject: Time: 17:03 OFFICE MEMO Tether "meteor" Date: 96/03/11 An interesting thought occurred to me regarding the imminent demise of TSS and its tether. What's going to happen in the final hours? Unlike ordinary satellites, the tether occupies a considerable range of altitude, which means the lowest portion will experience higher drag (and thus friction) than higher-up portions. At some point, shouldn't the bottom start to "burn" while the upper portion is merely "hot"? I know the thing's a good conductor, so heat will tend to work its way up the tether. But intuitively it seems like the thing should burn like a fuse, and that it will take a while. If this is the case, wouldn't the tether act like a long-lasting meteor, slowly burning its way up to the satellite? What a viewing opportunity if so! You wouldn't be limited to viewing sunlit-passes; ANY pass at night would be visible. Thoughts anyone?