Effectiveness analysis of active space debris removal technologies for the geostationary orbit

Abstract

This paper considers the basic technologies of active removal of space debris from the geostationary orbit. For two of them: coupling of service spacecraft (SC) with the space debris item with the help of an arm of the service SC (rigid link) and capture of the space debris object with a net or a harpoon (flexible link),-a list of main disturbing moments is given, influencing the service SC during the coupling and space debris towing to the graveyard orbit. A comparative analysis of resource intensity has been performed of various schemes for space debris removal with rigid or flexible link.