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Space Debris Removal with Harpoon Assistance: Choice of Parameters and Optimization

Dmitry A. Sizov

Samara National Research University, 443086, Samara, Russia

*Senior Researcher, Theoretical Mechanics Department, 34, Moscovskoe Shosse.

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and

Vladimir S. Aslanov

Samara National Research University, 443086, Samara, Russia

†Head of Department, Professor, Theoretical Mechanics Department, 34, Moscovskoe Shosse.

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Published Online:1 Dec 2020https://doi.org/10.2514/1.G005484

Abstract

This paper discusses three phases of the space debris removal with harpoon assistance: capture, tether deployment, and towing. The harpoon impact momentum is used to detumble the target. Equations of motion for each phase are given in dimensionless form, which significantly reduces the number of parameters describing the system. The aim of the paper is to propose algorithms for choosing optimal parameters for the capture and tether deployment phases. This optimization provides small amplitudes of the tether and debris oscillations during towing. The numerical simulations of the removal of a spent Ariane 4 upper stage H10 confirm the correctness of the proposed mathematical models and optimization algorithms.

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Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, volume 44 issue 4 cover

Volume 44, Number 4April 2021

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR 18-01-00215-A).

Digital

Received23 June 2020
Accepted23 October 2020
Published online1 December 2020