Space evasive maneuvers: what is the viable technological parameters?15 / Manobras evasivas do espaço: quais são os parâmetros tecnológicos viáveis?

Abstract

Space Debris (SD) is the by-product of space missions and Earth's gravitational capture in the dynamics of the Solar System. Their accumulation in this environment constitutes a real and permanent risk for these missions. Mathematical and computational analysis for the relative dynamics between SD and a space vehicle, considering the Earth's gravitational and propulsion forces, is performed in this work. Exhaustive numerical simulations of the model were performed for suboptimal technological parameters (power factor, exhaust speed) and physical parameters (start and duration of propulsion) suitable for evasive maneuvers for minimum fuel consumption and relative distance accuracy. The simulation results identify important patterns that help us understand the characteristics of space vehicle propellant control parameters for evasive maneuvers.