Abstract: A system includes a gravity gradient stabilized space tether. The gravity gradient stabilized space tether includes a tether body having an upper end and a lower end. The gravity gradient stabilized space tether also includes an upper base station located at the upper end of the tether body and a lower base station located at the lower end of the tether body. The gravity gradient stabilized space tether further includes a device coupled to the lower base station. The device can be lowered to a distance below the lower base station to a rendezvous point that is proximate to an orbital path of a sub-orbital vehicle.