The Advanced Tether Experiment was launched into orbit aboard the National Reconnaissance Office sponsored Space Technology Experiment spacecraft on 3 October 1998. The tether experiment payload was intended to Demonstrate deployment and survivability of a novel tether design as well as controlled libration maneuvers. On 16 January 1999 after deployment of only 22 m of tether, the advances tether experiment was jettisoned from the spacecraft due to an out-of-limits condition sent by the experiment's tether angle sensor.
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