Cost Effective Disposal of Geosynchronous Satellites by Means of Tethers
- Paper number
IAC-08.D4.1.7
- Author
Dr. Vladimir A. Chobotov, The Aerospace Corporation, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Nahum Melamed, The Aerospace Corporation, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
In order to minimize the possibility of collisions, satellites operating in geosynchronous (GEO) orbits are required to be boosted into higher orbits for end-of-life disposal. This can mean that an otherwise healthy, revenue-producing satellite must end its mission and move to a disposal orbit when the propellant remaining reaches a specified limit. This also may require that the satellite be replaced earlier than would be the case if all remaining propellant could be used to extend mission life. This paper proposes an Earth pointing tether system as a cost-effective means for removing objects from GEO at end-of-life. GEO debris objects are collected by the tether system and redeployed above or below the GEO orbit by either retracting or extending the tether. The usefulness, practicality and cost of such a system are examined in this study. Liftoff mass was assumed to be a good representation of total system cost and that was minimized by using large debris objects that are either in GEO or were re-orbited to disposal orbits as assets for building the tether system’s counterweight masses. Tether system cost estimates, based on liftoff mass, were found to be lower than the cost of a proposed dedicated space tug system. At very little additional cost, the system can also alleviate long term collision concerns by re-orbiting GEO debris to higher altitudes than the current convention of about 300 km above the GEO orbit.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D4.1.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.