Strategy for capturing of a tumbling space debris

Nishida, Shin-Ichiro; Kawamoto, Satomi

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.06.045

Cited by 135 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Equations (12,13) indicate the motion of the COG of each object and they are expressed in the ECI reference frame. Equations (14,15) are Euler's equations which indicate the angular evolution for each object and it should be noted that these equations are expressed in the body reference frames of each object [44].…”

Section: B 3d Dynamical Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Subsection VI of the Annex, Equations (12,13,14,15) are transformed in the usual way for their numerical integration by adding function derivatives which results in a system of first order differential equations. This numerical integration process is used to solve the numerical simulations in Sections IV.D and V.…”

Section: B 3d Dynamical Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The full 3D dynamical problem is described by a set of non-linear differential equations listed in (12,13,14,15) which involve the position and attitude of the chaser and the target. Equations (12,13) indicate the motion of the COG of each object and they are expressed in the ECI reference frame.…”

Section: B 3d Dynamical Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these methods, proposals include applying repeated mechanical impulses with projectiles propelled from a service satellite [12], the use of a brush-type contactor at the tip of the robotic arm [13], the attachment of a propulsive device [14], the attachment of a device that will interact with the Earth's magnetic field [14,15] and the interaction of a plume engine with the surface of the target [16]. These methods require complex proximity operations and/or highly accurate control in order to achieve a successful deceleration of the angular rates.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Guidance, Navigation, and Control for the Eddy Brake Method

Gómez

Walker

2017

Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics

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Existing active debris removal methods that require physical contact with the target have applicability limitations depending on the maximum angular momentum that can be absorbed. Therefore, a de-tumbling phase prior to the capturing phase may be necessary.The aim of this article is to study the guidance, navigation and control subsystem of the 'Eddy Brake', an active contactless de-tumbling method based on the generation of eddy currents. The article first presents this method and the main requirements for the control module as well as the necessary sensors for pose estimation on-board the chaser. Furthermore, the linear and rotational dynamics based on the Magnetic Tensor Theory are explained in order to model the chaser-target interactions. In addition, the set of 3D nonlinear dynamical equations that model the de-tumbling process are formulated including a specific control strategy with possible inaccuracies and delays derived from the on-board sensors and actuators. Moreover, a stability analysis is developed in the vicinity of a stable asymptotic state for a simplified 2D configuration where an analytical approach is viable.

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Section: B 3d Dynamical Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: B 3d Dynamical Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: B 3d Dynamical Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Guidance, Navigation, and Control for the Eddy Brake Method

Gómez

Walker

2017

Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics

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“…Walker) one of the main challenges of the contact ADR methods is to be able to capture a non-cooperative rotating object. Rigid capture systems, such as the robotic arm, are not able to grab and stabilize objects which are rotating faster than a few degrees per second (Nishida et al, 2011). Other capturing systems such as the harpoon or the net may have difficulties in capturing fast rotating objects due to the possible entanglement of the tether with the target.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth’s gravity gradient and eddy currents effects on the rotational dynamics of space debris objects: Envisat case study

Gómez

Walker

2015

Advances in Space Research

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The Space Debris population has grown rapidly over the last few decades with the consequent growth of impact risk between current objects in orbit. Active Debris Removal (ADR) has been recommended to be put into practice by several National Agencies in order to remove objects that pose the biggest risk for the space community. The most immediate target that is being considered for ADR by the European Space Agency is the Earth-observing satellite Envisat. In order to safely remove such a massive object from its orbit, a capturing process followed by a controlled reentry is necessary. However, current ADR methods that require physical contact with the target have limitations on the maximum angular momentum that can be absorbed and a de-tumbling phase prior to the capturing process may be required. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the ADR mission design to be able to predict accurately how the target will be rotating at the time of capture. This article analyses two perturbations that affect an object in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Earth's gravity gradient and the eddy currents induced by the Earth's magnetic field. The gravity gradient is analysed using the equation of conservation of total energy and a graphical method is presented to understand the expected behaviour of any object under the effect of this perturbation. The eddy currents are also analysed by studying the total energy of the system. The induced torque and the characteristic time of decay are presented as a function of the object's magnetic tensor. In addition, simulations were carried out for the Envisat spacecraft including the gravity gradient perturbation as well as the eddy currents effect using the International Geomagnetic Reference Field IGRF-11 to model the Earth's magnetic field. These simulations show that the combined effect of these two perturbations is a plausible explanation for the rotational speed decay

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