Survey of Proposed Tethered Systems for Debris Removal in Space
- Paper number
IAC-05-D4.3.06
- Author
Dr. Violet Barghe-Sharghi, The Aerospace Corporation, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Vladimir A. Chobotov, The Aerospace Corporation, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Lawrence Palkovic, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Large scale tethered systems provide maximum velocity impulses to payloads destined for interplanetary missions. Such systems can support many applications from Payload Launch Platforms to removing debris from GEO. While GEO space is not currently nearly as cluttered as LEO space, it continues to collect spacecraft with limited operational lives. Over time, repetitive collisions will generate an increasing number of objects with smaller and smaller size. All current methods considered for object disposal in GEO involve the expenditure of propellant either to maneuver satellites at their end-of-life above the geostationary altitude or to use a dedicated space tug to rendezvous with and collect dead objects for de-orbit. A shorter, unanchored, dirigible version of the well-known space elevator could be used for this purpose, removing debris from GEO without expending any propellant other than that required to rendezvous with and deliver debris to the tether-based system for disposal. A tether-based free flying collector may be deployed to rendezvous with non-cooperative objects and deliver them for disposal. These and other approaches to debris collection must be examined and assessed regarding practicality, cost, and efficiency before a viable design for a complete collection and disposal system can be defined. This paper presents a survey of information related to space-based long tethered systems and their application for propellant-free space transportation. This survey summarizes results of a database containing categories such as applications, technology, customers, and business opportunities. Some subcategories include cataloging physical properties of basic materials for achieving specific missions, technology maturity levels, cost, schedule, and risk. We also provide computational results such as release velocities along tethers, final achieved orbits, optimal tether lengths, material strength, and so on. The resulting information is presented in a format most convenient for application and mission evaluation, trade studies, performance, and design.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-D4.3.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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