High-voltage space tether for enhanced particle scattering in Van Allen belts

New applications of space tethers (High-Voltage Tethered Satellite System p roject) are discussed in relation with ideal of an active experiment in the Earth's radiation belts. Two conducting strings are supposed to be tethere d between the main satellite and two small subsatellites flying through the ERB. A large potential difference similar to 1MV is applied between the te thers by means of a generator carried on the main satellite. The tethers ef fectively scatter the high energy particles into loss cone of magnetic trap , providing a control of particle life time in ERB. The rigorous theory of the sheath layer formed by relatively cold plasma is developed, yielding th e electric field profile,which is then used for the treatment of scattering problem. With the help of Fokker-Planck equation the average rate of parti cle losses, normalized per 1 km of the tether's length is found to be: (2.5 divided by 14) . 10(16) s(-1) km(-1) for electron belts and 1.8 . 10(14)di vided by 2.5 . 10(20) s(-1) km(-1) for proton belts. New active experiments in space become possible under the joint realization of HVTSS and HAARP pr ojects.