Tether

A tether is a cord, fixture, or flexible attachment that anchors something movable to a reference point which may be fixed or moving. There are a number of applications for tethers: balloons, kites, tethered wind-energy conversion systems, anchors, tethered water-flow energy conversion systems, towing, animal constraint, spaceflight, and power-kiting. Also, tethering to prevent theft of an object like a computer at a school or library is now commonly seen.^[1]

Failures

Tethers may break by various means; if a tether is a signal, then interruption by signal barriers breaks the tether. If the tether is a cord or rope, then upon reaching the breaking strength of the tether, the tether fails in its function. Failure modes for tethers are considered when designing arrangements where a tether is needed.^[2] When a tether or line breaks suddenly, backlash of the segments may cause severe damage or loss of life. Safety links are sometimes used to prevent excessive tension in a tether involved in towing objects or persons, like in the towing of sailplanes; the safety link in a tether is thus a tether itself.

References

1. Computer Security Handbook. New York, NY: Wiley. 2002. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-471-41258-8. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
2. Bekey, Ivan (2003). Advanced Space System Concepts and Technologies, 2010-2030+. El Segundo, Calif. : Reston, Va.: Aerospace Press ; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-884989-12-4.