天基激光驱动空间碎片降轨效果仿真研究

在当前天基激光移除碎片方案设计中,通常采用k J级高能激光器、100 m/s大速度增量和简单降轨模型计算移除系统参数,然而k J级天基高能激光器尚未实现。文章基于目前实验室现有的J级激光器水平,参考现阶段碎片移除方案,针对特定区域的目标空间碎片,结合碎片轨道特性信息建立降轨模型,仿真研究目标碎片在低能量天基激光驱动下的运动过程和降轨效果,分析了影响目标碎片降轨效果的因素。对部署在500 km轨道高度的天基平台移除附近碎片的仿真结果表明,速度增量和降轨高度的变化具有累积效应,提高频率、增大有效作用距离等可延长激光烧蚀驱动时间,进而增强碎片降轨效果。分析表明,J级小能量激光器通过长时间的烧蚀,也可有效驱动和移除1~10 cm碎片。

Simulation of space debris de-orbiting by space-based laser ablation

In the scheme of a space debris removal system with the space-based laser(SBL), a kJ-class high-power laser, with a high additional velocity, is to be used. However, the implementation of the kJ-class space-based laser systems is not feasible in the engineering pratice. In this paper, the onboard removal procedure based on the laser system of J-level energy is simulated, and the influential parameters are analyzed. The simulation results of the space-based laser system of 500 km in altitude show that the incremental velocity and the perigee decrease are of an accumulating nature during the removal procedure. Higher frequency and longer distant range of the laser can increase the effective acting time, with a lower perigee of the targeted debris. It is indicated that with the long-term engagement, the J-class low-power laser instead of the kJ-class high-power laser can also be used to drive and remove the middle-sized debris.