Study on electrodynamic tether system for space debris removal

As a countermeasure for suppressing space debris growth (P. Eighler, A. Bade, Chain Reaction of Debris Generation by Collisions in Space—A Final Threat to Spaceflight? in: 40th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, IAA-89-628, October 1989), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan is investigating a satellite capture, repair and removal system for non-cooperative satellites, part of which involves assessing the viability of electrodynamic tether (EDT) technology as an orbital transfer system. In this paper, some results concerning the time required to remove existing satellites, the behavior of flexible tethers during the debris separation phase, and orbital transfer strategies of EDT systems during space debris removal operations are described. From numerical simulations, it is found that EDT systems can transfer satellites from LEO to orbits with a short lifetime within a realistic timeframe. It is also found that the stability of EDT systems is compromised when debris separation occurs both while a tether current is running and when the ratio of the end mass to that of the service satellite is high. To ensure stability, the end mass should be selected from the target debris group with due regard for the maximum possible mass that can be maneuvered safely. Moreover, it is also found that orbital elements (a, e, i) can be changed independently with an adequate current control strategy.     

Overview of the legal and policy challenges of orbital debris removal

Much attention has been paid recently to the issue of removing human-generated space debris from Earth orbit, especially following conclusions reached by both NASA and ESA that mitigating debris is not sufficient, that debris-on-debris and debris-on-active-satellite collisions will continue to generate new debris even without additional launches, and that some sort of active debris removal (ADR) is needed. Several techniques for ADR are technically plausible enough to merit further research and eventually operational testing. However, all ADR technologies present significant legal and policy challenges which will need to be addressed for debris removal to become viable. This paper summarizes the most promising techniques for removing space debris in both LEO and GEO, including electrodynamic tethers and ground- and space-based lasers. It then discusses several of the legal and policy challenges posed, including: lack of separate legal definitions for functional operational spacecraft and non-functional space debris; lack of international consensus on which types of space debris objects should be removed; sovereignty issues related to who is legally authorized to remove pieces of space debris; the need for transparency and confidence-building measures to reduce misperceptions of ADR as anti-satellite weapons; and intellectual property rights and liability with regard to ADR operations. Significant work on these issues must take place in parallel to the technical research and development of ADR techniques, and debris removal needs to be done in an environment of international collaboration and cooperation.     

An experimental study on carbon nanotube cathodes for electrodynamic tether propulsion

Research and development of an electrodynamic tether propulsion system for space debris removal has been started in the Institute of Space Technology and Aeronautics, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). An experimental investigation of a carbon-nanotube field-emission cathode (FEC), which is suitable as an electron emitter in this propulsion system, was conducted in this study. One of the important issues in the design of a FEC is to suppress an electron flow to a gate electrode to avoid thermal deformation of the electrode and to reduce power loss. For meeting this requirement, we designed an FEC device having a masking plate on a cathode surface. A numerical simulation indicated that presence of the masking plate distorts the electric field adjacent to the cathode surface and a converged electron beam that does not impinge on the gate electrode is formed. Several FEC devices were fabricated based on the simulation results, and they were tested experimentally. Results showed that no electron current flowed to the gate electrode when all the electrodes were assembled and aligned correctly.     

Experiments and numerical simulations of an electrodynamic tether deployment from a spool-type reel using thrusters

The amount of space debris is ever increasing, and pollution of the space environment has become a serious problem that can no longer be ignored. Consequently, the active removal of large space debris from crowded economically useful orbits should begin as soon as possible. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has been investigating an active debris removal system that employs highly efficient electrodynamic tether (EDT) technology for orbital transfer. This study investigates the tether deployment from a spool-type reel using thrusters by means of numerical simulations of an EDT system. The thrusters are used in order to ensure the deployment of a tether with the length of several kilometers. In the simulations using a multiple mass tether model, the key parameters are estimated from various on-ground experiments. By means of the numerical simulations, the dynamics of tether deployment is studied and requirements of thruster needed for the deployment, such as the thrust forces and the periods of thruster activation, are clarified.     

An experimental study on carbon nanotube cathodes for electrodynamic tether propulsion

Research and development of an electrodynamic tether propulsion system for space debris removal has been started in the Institute of Space Technology and Aeronautics, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). An experimental investigation of a carbon-nanotube field-emission cathode (FEC), which is suitable as an electron emitter in this propulsion system, was conducted in this study. One of the important issues in the design of a FEC is to suppress an electron flow to a gate electrode to avoid thermal deformation of the electrode and to reduce power loss. For meeting this requirement, we designed an FEC device having a masking plate on a cathode surface. A numerical simulation indicated that presence of the masking plate distorts the electric field adjacent to the cathode surface and a converged electron beam that does not impinge on the gate electrode is formed. Several FEC devices were fabricated based on the simulation results, and they were tested experimentally. Results showed that no electron current flowed to the gate electrode when all the electrodes were assembled and aligned correctly.     

Tethers and debris mitigation

In recent years, the use of tethers has been proposed for reduction of space debris either through momentum transfer or use of electrodynamic effects. Tethers have been shown to at least theoretically allow for quick, elegant and cost-effective deorbit of defunct satellites or spent stages. On the other hand, the large risk that tethers themselves may pose to other satellites in orbit has been recognized as well. The large collision area of tethers, combined with operational hazards and meteoroid risk may result in a large orbital exposure. For example, in 1997, the ESA/Dutch 35-km tether deployment of YES from TEAMSAT was inhibited after an analysis of the collision risk for the case the tether operation would fail. The question rises how these two points of view compare to eachother. This paper intends to highlight a representative selection of the proposed tether applications while taking into account the added risks caused by the tethers themselves.Typical applications from recent literature will be briefly described, such as an Ariane 502 spent stage re-entry from GTO and the concept of deboost of defunct satellites by interaction of a conductive tether with the Earth magnetic field.Mass savings of the tethered sytems versus conventional equivalents will be evaluated.Based on a crude risk analysis, involving elements such as mission complexity, dynamic stability, meteoroid risk and orbital life time, a general outline of limiting factors can be given for the various applications. Special attention is reserved for implementation of mechanisms that help reduce this tether risk, such as the DUtether (Tether Degradable by Ultraviolet), utilization of airdrag and solar pressure, the effect of residual current in bare tethers, tether retrieval etc.It is proposed how a net tether-induced mitigation can be compared to that of conventional alternatives, i.e. deboost by rocket engine or a completely passive approach.This comparison is put in the perspective of an ever-increasing occupation of the space environment.It is concluded that tethers can in fact help mitigate the debris risk and that for each application a useful niche can be defined. It is argued that eliminating pollution directly after use of the precious resource of space is not only good custom, but also an important way to make the risk of debris controllable and independent of future trends. Although tethers may have large exposure in terms of area-time product, they deliver a quick cleaning service that may be appreciated by the future users of space.     

地球静止轨道空间碎片的处置

介绍了国际机构间碎片协调委员会提出的关于地球静止轨道（GEO）空间碎片问题的研究结果和碎片处置的建议，主要内容包括：GEO与GEO环的概念、EGO上物体现状，EGO空间碎片处置的基本原则和8条具体处置措施建议。该建议已于2000年2月提交联合国和平利用外层空间委员会科技小组委员会第37届会议。     

Sounding rocket experiment of bare electrodynamic tether system

An overview of a sounding rocket, S-520-25th, project on space tether technology experiment is presented. The project is prepared by an international research group consisting of Japanese, European, American, and Australian researchers. The sounding rocket will be assembled by the ISAS/JAXA and will be launched in the summer of 2009. The sounding rocket mission includes two engineering experiments and two scientific experiments. These experiments consist of the deployment of bare electrodynamic tape tether in space, a quick ignition test of hollow cathode system in space, the demonstration of bare electrodynamic tether system in space, and the test of the OML (orbital-motion-limit) current collection theory.     

空间碎片减缓策略效果仿真

根据机构间空间碎片协调委员会(IADC)和欧空局(ESA)的空间碎片减缓要求,在建立航天发射、爆炸和碰撞模型,以及碎片演化机制的基础上,对常规发射(BAU)、禁止在轨爆炸(NO-EX)和全面减缓(MIT)三种空间碎片减缓策略条件下,对2000~2100年空间碎片环境进行了仿真计算。结果表明,禁止航天器在轨爆炸、对失效的卫星和火箭上面级实施离轨操作,以及在航天器的发射和运行中不产生或抛弃分离物等减缓措施是限制空间碎片数量增长的有效方法。     

Wholesale debris removal from LEO

Recent advances in electrodynamic propulsion make it possible to seriously consider wholesale removal of large debris from LEO for the first time since the beginning of the space era. Cumulative ranking of large groups of the LEO debris population and general limitations of passive drag devices and rocket-based removal systems are analyzed. A candidate electrodynamic debris removal system is discussed that can affordably remove all debris objects over 2 kg from LEO in 7 years. That means removing more than 99% of the collision-generated debris potential in LEO. Removal is performed by a dozen 100-kg propellantless vehicles that react against the Earth's magnetic field. The debris objects are dragged down and released into short-lived orbits below ISS. As an alternative to deorbit, some of them can be collected for storage and possible in-orbit recycling. The estimated cost per kilogram of debris removed is a small fraction of typical launch costs per kilogram. These rates are low enough to open commercial opportunities and create a governing framework for wholesale removal of large debris objects from LEO.     

Stability and control of electrodynamic tethers for de-orbiting applications

Electrodynamic tethers provide a very promising propulsion system for de-orbiting of spent upper stages or LEO satellites. In this application, the Lorentz force generated by the interaction between the current in the wire and the geomagnetic field produces an electrodynamic drag leading to a fast orbital decay. The attractiveness of tether system lies especially in their capability to operate with uncontrollable satellites and in the modest mass requirement.The need for significant along-track forces leads however to the onset of an undesirable torque which, if not controlled, may drive the system into a dangerous instability. The electrodynamic torque determines in-plane and out-of-plane librations whose amplitude depends upon the current in the wire, mass distribution and system dimensions. Even more important, this torque is modulated along the orbit due to the changing magnetic field and ionospheric plasma density, giving rise to forced oscillations. The counteracting (and stabilizing) gravity-gradient torque is generally to small to ensure stability in typical, strongly non-symmetrical mass distributions, where a massive satellite or upper stage is attached at the lower end and a light electron collecting device (or passive ballast mass) is deployed a few kilometers above. Reducing the electron current or increasing the mass at the upper end are both unattractive solutions.In this paper we show how the electrodynamic torque pumps energy into the system (finally leading to large librations angles) and indicate that many proposed configurations are intrinsically unstable. Our results point out the need for a control strategy. Fortunately, the librations amplitudes can be limited by acting on the current flowing in the wire. Our model of a rigid, conductive tether shows that a control based upon timely current switch-off, using energy criteria, is indeed effective and simple to implement. The resultant duty-cycles are satisfactory and affect only marginally the de-orbiting times.     

日本JAXA航天器环境工程验证能力研究

日本宇宙航空研究开发机构（JAXA）是负责日本航空航天开发的独立行政实体,主要承担日本航天器研究、开发、发射和运行等业务。JAXA拥有日本先进的航天基础设施和环境验证手段,集中了大量高水平的力学环境、真空热环境和特殊环境的试验测试设备,能够承担航天器系统级总装、专业测试和环境试验,也具备航天器原材料、元器件等的环境试验与评价能力。JAXA具有国际一流的航天器环境工程验证能力,对日本航天事业的飞速发展发挥了重要支撑作用。根据我国航天发展战略以及对标国际一流航天先进技术的要求,文章跟踪研究了JAXA的航天器环境工程验证能力的建设、基地布局、管理模式和标准体系等方面的成功经验,提出了我国航天器环境工程的发展建议与启示。     

Assessing the Impact Risk of Orbital Debris on Space Tethers

Tethers are being proposed for a growing number of space applications. However, they may be particularly vulnerable to orbital debris and meteoroid impacts. In order to provide useful reference data for tether systems design, detailed analytical and numerical computations were carried out to assess the average impact rate of artificial debris and meteoroids. The specific geometric properties of tethers as debris targets, when compared to typical satellites, are discussed, and the results obtained are presented in tabular form, as a function of debris size and tether diameter.The computations were carried out for six circular orbits, spanning three altitudes (600, 800 and 1000km) and two inclinations (30° and 50°). Tether diameters in between 1mm and 2cm and debris larger than 0.1mm were considered in the analysis. The collision risk of tethers with spacecraft and upper stages in orbit was estimated as well.In the debris interval and orbital regimes considered, artificial debris represent the dominant contributor to the impact rate. At 600km and in the 0.1–10mm size range, the meteoroid and orbital debris impact rates are still comparable; however, at higher altitudes and in the 1–10cm size range, meteoroids contribute 20–30 times less to the collision probability.The results obtained confirm that for single-strand tethers in low Earth orbit the probability to be severed by orbital debris and meteoroid impacts is quite significant, making necessary the adoption of innovative designs for long duration missions.     

空间光学系统真空热试验污染控制经验综述

真空热试验过程中光学系统可能受到严重污染,因此需制定严格的污染控制措施。文章对NASA、ESA、JAXA 等航天机构的卫星光学系统真空热试验中典型、有代表性的污染控制经验进行了综述,并对我国光学系统真空热试验污染控制提出了若干建议。     

International Practices to Protect the Geostationary Ring

Since more than 20 years reorbiting of geostationary satellites at the end of their mission is recommended and partially performed to protect the GEO environment. Now a worldwide accepted reorbiting altitude was defined by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC). Still only one-third of the aging satellites follow this IADC rule. Based on orbital data in the DISCOS database, the situation in the geostationary ring is analyzed. From 878 known objects, 305 are controlled inside their longitude slots, 353 are drifting above, below or through GEO, and 125 are in a libration orbit (status of January 2001). In the last four years (1997–2000) 58 spacecraft reached end-of-life. Twenty of them were reorbited in compliance with the IADC recommendations, 16 were reorbited below this recommendation and 22 were abandoned without any end-of-life disposal manoeuvre.     

航天器空间碎片超高速撞击防护的若干问题

空间碎片对航天器的超高速撞击损伤已受到国内外的普遍重视,如何使在轨航天器对空间碎片进行有效防护是航天器长寿命、高可靠安全运行的重要保障。文章概述了空间碎片环境现状、空间碎片超高速撞击危害以及国内外空间碎片防护的研究现状和趋势。重点介绍了航天器常用的Whipple防护结构及其各种衍生结构的防护性能和弹道极限方程（BLE）,评述了这些防护结构防护性能的优缺点。     

天基雷达观测空间碎片的研究现状及关键技术分析

文章针对空间碎片观测中尚未得到确切观测数据的危险碎片的观测需求,综合分析了国内外的研究水平和现状,对天基雷达观测的需求和关键技术开展研究,提出了天基空间碎片观测有三个关键技术需要解决,即如何确定雷达工作体制和平台轨道以提高观测效率,如何有效探测尺度只有几个毫米-几个厘米的细小目标,如何对观测到的空间碎片进行分类和精确定轨。     

Behavior of tethered debris with flexible appendages

Active exploration of the space leads to growth of a near-Earth space pollution. The frequency of the registered collisions of space debris with functional satellites highly increased during last 10 years. As a rule a large space debris can be observed from the Earth and catalogued, then it is possible to avoid collision with the active spacecraft. However every large debris is a potential source of a numerous small debris particles. To reduce debris population in the near Earth space the large debris should be removed from working orbits. The active debris removal technique is considered that intend to use a tethered orbital transfer vehicle, or a space tug attached by a tether to the space debris. This paper focuses on the dynamics of the space debris with flexible appendages. Mathematical model of the system is derived using the Lagrange formalism. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the mutual influence of the oscillations of flexible appendages and the oscillations of a tether. It is shown that flexible appendages can have a significant influence on the attitude motion of the space debris and the safety of the transportation process.     

Active debris removal: Recent progress and current trends

According to all available findings at international level, the Kessler syndrome, increase of the number of space debris in Low Earth Orbits due to mutual collisions, appears now to be a fact, triggered mainly by several major break-ups in orbit which occurred since 2007. The time may have come to study how to clean this fundamentally useful orbital region in an active way.CNES has studied potential solutions for more than 12 years! The paper aims at reviewing the current status of these activities.The high level requirements are fundamental, and have to be properly justified. The working basis, as confirmed through IADC studies consists in the removal of 5–10 integer objects from the overcrowded orbits, spent upper stages or old satellites, as identified by NASA.The logic of CNES activities consider a stepped approach aiming at progressively gaining the required Technological Readiness Level on the features required for Active Debris Removal which have not yet been demonstrated in orbit. The rendezvous with a non-cooperative, un-prepared, tumbling debris is essential. Following maturation gained with Research and Technology programs, a set of small orbital demonstrators could enable a confidence high enough to perform a full end to end demonstration performing the de-orbiting of a large debris and paving the way for the development of a first generation operational de-orbiter.The internal CNES studies, led together by the Toulouse Space Centre and the Paris Launcher Directorate, have started in 2008 and led to a detailed System Requirements Document used for the Industrial studies.Three industrial teams did work under CNES contract during 2011, led by Thales Alenia Space, Bertin Technologies and Astrium Space Transportation, with numerous sub-contractors. Their approaches were very rich, complementary, and innovative. The second phase of studies began mid-2012. Some key questions nevertheless have to be resolved, and correspond generally to current IADC actions:The casualty risk associated to a “passive” de-orbitation is of paramount importance, major driver between passive and active re-entry,The residual movement of debris is crucial for the interfacing phase, whichever the solution is,The debris physical state in orbit is a major question,Some solutions increase the collision risk, but for a limited time period; we may not have yet the appropriate tools.The paper gives a status of where we stand, of the cooperation with the international partners, and raises the questions which remain open and have to be dealt with in the coming months.