Survey of the electrostatic tractor research for reorbiting passive GEO space objects

Bengtson, Miles; Wilson, Kieran; Hughes, Joseph; Schaub, Hanspeter

doi:10.1007/s42064-018-0030-0

Cited by 31 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Instead of directly grasping an uncontrolled object, the electrostatic tractor utilizes an electron gun mounted on a servicing craft to modulate the potential of the servicer and the target object. By doing so, the servicer can generate forces of up to 10 mN from distances of over 10 m (Bengtson et al, 2018). It can then utilize the electrostatic forces and torques developed between the two craft to either detumble the target to allow for physical contact (enabling servicing) or to touchlessly move into a safe graveyard orbit over a period of weeks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results

2020

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Remote surface potential determination for nearby objects in space is an enabling technology for a range of space mission concepts, from improved rendezvous capabilities to touchless debris remediation with the electrostatic tractor concept. One concept is to use a nearby servicing spacecraft which fires electrons at the target. These electrons generate bremsstrahlung X-rays, and the resultant X-ray spectrum can be used to determine the landing energy of the electrons. By knowing the initial energy of the electrons, such as those emitted from an electron gun, the relative potential of the target can be inferred. The use of electron-induced X-rays to determine the electrostatic potential of a surface has previously been investigated theoretically, but this work demonstrates it experimentally. Accuracy is found to correlate to the angle between the detector and the target, and investigation of this relationship is a topic of future work. The mean error in landing energy is found to be approximately 1%, and the mean error in estimated plate voltage is found to be within the uncertainty of the high voltage power supply. Material determination is successfully demonstrated, using characteristic X-rays to identify elements that make up less than 0.5% by mass of the target sample. Several possible means of improving landing energy accuracy are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results

2020

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“…Concerning the technical issues for the accomplishment of Lorentz force actuated missions, the two main challenges are the spacecraft surface charging [15], and the thermal control system of the HTSC (see [4,13,2]). According to [27],…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative dynamics of charged spacecraft in a magnetic field applied to formation flight

Cheng

Gómez

Masdemont

et al. 2020

Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation

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“…Additionally, numerous missions have been proposed that seek to leverage electrostatic interactions between multiple spacecraft. These concepts include the electrostatic tractor for tugging or detumbling debris objects in geosynchronous orbit (Bengtson et al, 2018;Bennett & Schaub, 2015;Schaub & Sternovsky, 2014), electrostatic inflation of structures (Stiles et al, 2013b(Stiles et al, , 2013a, and Coulomb formations (King et al, 2002). Each of these concepts would benefit significantly from knowledge of the electrostatic potential on a nearby object.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Results of Electron Method for Remote Spacecraft Charge Sensing

2020

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Remote charge sensing is a technique that can provide valuable insight into spacecraft‐environment interactions, as well as enable missions that leverage electrostatic interactions between multiple spacecraft or involve docking maneuvers in harsh charging environments. The concept discussed in this paper uses a co‐orbiting servicing spacecraft to measure the energies of secondary electrons or photoelectrons that are emitted from the target object with initial energies of a few electron volts. The electrons are accelerated toward the servicing spacecraft, which is at a known positive potential (relative to the target), where they are measured by an energy analyzer. Given the potential of the servicing spacecraft, the potential of the target can be accurately determined. Results are presented from experiments conducted in a vacuum chamber to investigate the touchless sensing concept. Specifically, the feasibility and accuracy of the electron method is considered for different materials, charge scenarios, and relative geometries. The results show that the surface potential of a flat plate can be accurately determined for a range of metallic surface materials, voltages, and relative angles.

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Survey of the electrostatic tractor research for reorbiting passive GEO space objects

Cited by 31 publications

References 58 publications

X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results

X‐ray Spectroscopic Determination of Electrostatic Potential and Material Composition for Spacecraft: Experimental Results

Relative dynamics of charged spacecraft in a magnetic field applied to formation flight

Experimental Results of Electron Method for Remote Spacecraft Charge Sensing

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