Increasing ADR effectiveness via an altitude-shell-dependent removal approach
Increasing ADR effectiveness via an altitude-shell-dependent removal approach
The aim of this work is to investigate a new approach that can increase the Active Debris Removal (ADR) effectiveness regardless of the boundary conditions and the evolution of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) population. This study use the Model to Investigate control Strategies for Space Debris (MISSD), developed at Southampton University. This statistical model uses a source-sink approach whereby new objects are added by launches, explosions, and collisions, while the atmospheric drag, ADR and Post-Mission Disposal (PMD) are removal mechanisms. A proportional controller applied to parameters associated with ADR represents the main novelty of this model. It is capable of emulating different removal principles (such as removing only rocket bodies or only inactive payloads) in each of the altitude shells in which the LEO region is divided. Through its application, several strategies for preventing (or limiting) the growth of the LEO population) are investigated and compared.
Several test were performed with various number of removal and compliance level with PMD measures (0%, 30%, 60%, and 90%). The results indicate that a higher compliance with PMD guidelines achieve a lower orbital population (over a 200-yr timeframe) compared to using ADR strategies but with lower PMD compliance. Nevertheless, even with a wide adoption of PMD measures, the LEO population will increase and therefore the ADR technology presents a possible solution to stabilise the population and reduce the collision risk in specific LEO regions. In particular, the effect of removing one rocket body is comparable to removing two inactive spacecraft.
Space Debris, LEO Modelling, Active Debris Removal, ADR, Post Mission Disposal, PMD, MISSD
International Astronautical Federation
Somma, Gian Luigi
fe2f9516-1fdb-4b9b-a4ce-7b6a7e60b49a
Lewis, Hugh
e9048cd8-c188-49cb-8e2a-45f6b316336a
Colombo, Camilla
595ced96-9494-40f2-9763-ad4a0f96bc86
2017
Somma, Gian Luigi
fe2f9516-1fdb-4b9b-a4ce-7b6a7e60b49a
Lewis, Hugh
e9048cd8-c188-49cb-8e2a-45f6b316336a
Colombo, Camilla
595ced96-9494-40f2-9763-ad4a0f96bc86
Somma, Gian Luigi, Lewis, Hugh and Colombo, Camilla
(2017)
Increasing ADR effectiveness via an altitude-shell-dependent removal approach.
In 68th International Astronautical Congress 2017.
International Astronautical Federation.
7 pp
.
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
Abstract
The aim of this work is to investigate a new approach that can increase the Active Debris Removal (ADR) effectiveness regardless of the boundary conditions and the evolution of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) population. This study use the Model to Investigate control Strategies for Space Debris (MISSD), developed at Southampton University. This statistical model uses a source-sink approach whereby new objects are added by launches, explosions, and collisions, while the atmospheric drag, ADR and Post-Mission Disposal (PMD) are removal mechanisms. A proportional controller applied to parameters associated with ADR represents the main novelty of this model. It is capable of emulating different removal principles (such as removing only rocket bodies or only inactive payloads) in each of the altitude shells in which the LEO region is divided. Through its application, several strategies for preventing (or limiting) the growth of the LEO population) are investigated and compared.
Several test were performed with various number of removal and compliance level with PMD measures (0%, 30%, 60%, and 90%). The results indicate that a higher compliance with PMD guidelines achieve a lower orbital population (over a 200-yr timeframe) compared to using ADR strategies but with lower PMD compliance. Nevertheless, even with a wide adoption of PMD measures, the LEO population will increase and therefore the ADR technology presents a possible solution to stabilise the population and reduce the collision risk in specific LEO regions. In particular, the effect of removing one rocket body is comparable to removing two inactive spacecraft.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 31 March 2017
e-pub ahead of print date: 25 September 2017
Published date: 2017
Additional Information:
Associated Publications:
Somma, G. L., Colombo, C., & Lewis, H. (2017). A statistical LEO model to investigate adaptable debris control strategies. Poster session presented at 7th Space Debris Conference, Darmstadt, Germany.
Somma, G. L., Lewis, H., & Colombo, C. (2017). Sensitivity analysis for a space debris environment model. In EUCASS. [443] DOI: 10.13009/EUCASS2017-443
Somma, G. L., Lewis, H., & Colombo, C. (2016). Adaptive remediation of the space debris environment using feedback control. Paper presented at 67th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Mexico.
Somma, G. L., Colombo, C., & Lewis, H. (2017). A statistical LEO model to investigate adaptable debris control strategies. In T. Flohrer, & F. Schmitz (Eds.), Proceedings 7th European Conference on Space Debris, Darmstadt, Germany, 18–21 April 2017,. European Space Agency (ESA).
Venue - Dates:
68th International Astronautical Congress 2017, , Adelaide, Australia, 2017-09-25 - 2017-09-29
Keywords:
Space Debris, LEO Modelling, Active Debris Removal, ADR, Post Mission Disposal, PMD, MISSD
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 415109
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/415109
PURE UUID: b7b31427-91e2-4bd6-86b0-84d6e51c2109
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Date deposited: 30 Oct 2017 17:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:55
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Contributors
Author:
Gian Luigi Somma
Author:
Camilla Colombo
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