Survey of GEO Debris Removal Concepts
- Paper number
IAC-08.D4.1.8
- Author
Dr. Nahum Melamed, The Aerospace Corporation, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Vladimir A. Chobotov, 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. Alternative approaches for removing GEO satellites at end of life and other GEO debris have been proposed, including space tugs and several tether systems. This paper presents a survey of various concepts for removal of GEO debris and evaluates and compares their relative potential for mitigating crowding of the GEO region with space debris. This survey reviews various characteristic for each of the GEO debris removal concepts. Some of the approaches considered included a dedicated self re-orbiting capability, space tug system, long Earth oriented tether systems and short librating or rotating tether systems. The result of this survey is the classification of the various concepts based on relative advantage, risk, cost, complexity, materials, timeliness and practicality.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D4.1.8.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.