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Space Exploration

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    $\begingroup$ Angular momentum ($L$) is conserved. Changing inclination of an object's orbit means changing its $L$ , so you have to cause an equal (and opposite) change of $L$ to something else. It might be possible (though fanciful) to have some kind of tether that raises the inclination of one orbit while lower that of another? But even if something were within the realm of engineering possibility, it seems like a very niche use case. $\endgroup$
    – ScienceSnake
    Commented Jul 5 at 13:24
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    $\begingroup$ @ScienceSnake Yeah, I thought it was a bit KSP-style tech too. $\endgroup$
    – Ember Edison
    Commented Jul 5 at 14:03
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    $\begingroup$ As a rule, the orbit of a skyhook and the transfer orbit it imposes on the cargo are co-planar, so no angular momentum transfer can occur. But angular momentum could be transferred from skyhook tether to an orbiting spacecraft if their orbital inclinations were different. This would require "pick-up" at ridiculous relative velocity and produce very exciting wobbles in the tether which would make release velocity unpredictable. I'd love to see a simulation. $\endgroup$
    – Woody
    Commented Jul 5 at 19:01
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    $\begingroup$ "exciting" is an interesting adjective to use there $\endgroup$
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Commented Jul 5 at 20:48