> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual.fotokite.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual.fotokite.com/operational-guidelines/kite-and-tether-envelope.md). # Kite and Tether Envelope Under normal operating conditions, at 150 ft (45m), the Kite and Tether should not exceed a position displacement greater than 8 ft (2.5 m) and an angle greater than 20° from horizontal alignment. To respect these boundaries, the system limits its altitude to 80 ft (25 m) when a GPS signal is not available. In moderate to severe wind, the tether can be expected to bend and curve. If at any time the tether or the Kite begin to exceed the designated envelope, perform system checks regularly during flight. The next page contains more detailed examples of normal operating envelopes and failure modes. {% hint style="danger" %} **If the system exceeds the normal operating envelope for more than 15 seconds, there is an increased likelihood of a critical failure to occur.** After landing and no warnings are indicated, attempt another takeoff and return to a height of 25 ft. If the system once again exceeds the normal operating envelope for more than 15 seconds, it is recommended to stop using your Fotokite System and contact Fotokite Support. {% endhint %} ## Normal Operating Envelope

*All Operating Envelopes are not height dependent unless otherwise specified.


1	Straight Tether This is the ideal Kite alignment with the Ground Station and occurs in low wind conditions.
2	Angled Straight Tether During moderate wind gusts, the Kite can begin to move to the edges of the envelope. You may notice the Kite begins to pitch slightly to adjust for these conditions. After a short period, the Kite will realign itself with the Ground Station.
3	Sailing Tether In continuous moderate to high wind conditions, the tether may begin to bend into a “sail” like shape. As long as Kite alignment with the Ground Station is maintained within the envelope and the tether maintains tension with the ground station (does not sag), the System can continue to operate without issues.

Straight Tether

This is the ideal Kite alignment with the Ground Station and occurs in low wind conditions.

Angled Straight Tether

During moderate wind gusts, the Kite can begin to move to the edges of the envelope. You may notice the Kite begins to pitch slightly to adjust for these conditions. After a short period, the Kite will realign itself with the Ground Station.

Sailing Tether

In continuous moderate to high wind conditions, the tether may begin to bend into a “sail” like shape. As long as Kite alignment with the Ground Station is maintained within the envelope and the tether maintains tension with the ground station (does not sag), the System can continue to operate without issues.

## Failure Envelope


1	Straight Tether Kite Drift If the Kite drifts outside the envelope, there may be an issue with sensor calibration or failure. If the issue persists or is extreme, it is recommended to land, note the time, and contact support.
2	Straight Tether Angled Kite During severe wind gusts, the Kite can begin to pitch beyond the 20° acceptable range. In such a condition the kite will prioritize pitch/roll and may rotate its heading without command to provide extra priority control.
3	Sagging Tether In continuous moderate to high wind conditions, the tether may begin to sag onto the side of the Ground Station. This is indicative of a loss of tension between the Tether and Ground Station. If this persists, there is a high likelihood of the spooling mechanism getting stuck, keeping the Tether from properly retracting the Kite.

Straight Tether Kite Drift

If the Kite drifts outside the envelope, there may be an issue with sensor calibration or failure. If the issue persists or is extreme, it is recommended to land, note the time, and contact support.

Straight Tether Angled Kite

During severe wind gusts, the Kite can begin to pitch beyond the 20° acceptable range. In such a condition the kite will prioritize pitch/roll and may rotate its heading without command to provide extra priority control.

Sagging Tether

In continuous moderate to high wind conditions, the tether may begin to sag onto the side of the Ground Station. This is indicative of a loss of tension between the Tether and Ground Station. If this persists, there is a high likelihood of the spooling mechanism getting stuck, keeping the Tether from properly retracting the Kite.

{% hint style="danger" %} In all of the failure envelopes described above, the ground station and sensors should automatically initiate a Safety Landing. If not, initiate a Safety Landing manually using either the Land button in the app or onboard Ground Station Emergency Button. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://manual.fotokite.com/operational-guidelines/kite-and-tether-envelope.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.