Abstract Active debris removal is one of current hot spots in space research, necessary for space exploitation durability. Different techniques have been proposed for this challenging task, among them the use of throw-nets and tow-tethers seems promising: that opens new challenges for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, especially whenever flexible connections are involved. Via numerical simulations using a multi-body dynamics simulation tool developed at Politecnico di Milano – Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, this paper shows that tethered-net systems are a promising technology to capture and remove space debris and discusses the main difficulties that are likely to take place during capture and disposal phases, particularly from a GNC point of view.
Highlights It is shown how tethered-nets are promising techniques for active debris removal. The dynamics of orbiting objects connected by tethers and nets are described. A novel closing mechanism is proposed, to guarantee a safe and firm net grasping. The GNC design is discussed for tethered systems de-orbiting.
Dynamics analysis and GNC design of flexible systems for space debris active removal
Acta Astronautica ; 110 ; 247-265
2015-01-14
19 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Dynamics analysis and GNC design of flexible systems for space debris active removal
Online Contents | 2015
|Tether Dynamics Analysis for Active Space Debris Removal
AIAA | 2016
|Tether Dynamics Analysis for Active Space Debris Removal (AIAA 2016-1129)
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2016
|