This paper presents the topic of using solid rocket propulsion for de-orbiting spacecraft,in order to fulfil space debris mitigation requirements.The benefits and disadvantages of using such means are discussed.A dedi...This paper presents the topic of using solid rocket propulsion for de-orbiting spacecraft,in order to fulfil space debris mitigation requirements.The benefits and disadvantages of using such means are discussed.A dedicated system can be implemented in the satellite design phase and shall be a key subsystem of platforms inserted into orbit.Uncontrolled,semi-controlled and controlled de-orbit can be completed using solid rocket motors.Their impact on the space debris environment is discussed.Specific requirements for dedicated propellants and systems are provided.While the majority of presently developed rocket systems worldwide require high burn rates,several applications,including de-orbiting,benefit from solid propellants with decreased regression rates.This allows limiting spacecraft accelerations and loads during de-orbit manoeuvres.Moreover,the requirement of minimising solid particle generation is presented.Heritage technology from the Mercury and Gemini human spaceflight programmes,where de-orbit motors were used,is shown.Historical Soviet,American and Chinese film-return-capsule solid propellant retrorockets,enabling deorbit,are also presented.A detailed survey of current work worldwide on end-of-life disposal using solid propulsion is included.Challenges of developing dedicated systems are discussed.Finally,an outlook on solid rocket motor utilisation for space debris mitigation is provided.展开更多
In recent years,defunct satellites mitigation in the geostationary orbit(GEO) has become a hot issue in the space field.How to transfer defunct geostationary satellites to the graveyard orbit safely,economically and e...In recent years,defunct satellites mitigation in the geostationary orbit(GEO) has become a hot issue in the space field.How to transfer defunct geostationary satellites to the graveyard orbit safely,economically and efficiently presents new challenges to spacecraft dynamics and control.This paper conducts an in-depth investigation on tether-tugging de-orbit issues of defunct geostationary satellites.Firstly,a four-phase tether-tugging de-orbit scheme including acceleration,equilibrium,rotation and return is proposed.This scheme takes into consideration how to avoid the risks of tether ripping,tug-target collision,and tether twist,and how to achieve the mission objective of fuel saving.Secondly,the dynamics model of the tether combination system is established based on Lagrange equation,and the four phases of tether-tugging de-orbit scheme are simulated respectively.Simulation results indicate that the scheme is theoretically feasible and satisfies the design objectives of safety,economy and efficiency,providing a technical approach for engineering application.展开更多
The collision between satellites IRIDIUM 33 and COSMOS 2251 indicated that the clash of two on-orbit satellites was becoming an inevitable reality.Our calculation with the two-line orbit element by NORAD showed that s...The collision between satellites IRIDIUM 33 and COSMOS 2251 indicated that the clash of two on-orbit satellites was becoming an inevitable reality.Our calculation with the two-line orbit element by NORAD showed that some two geostationary satellites had approached very close in July 2009.Therefore,more attention should be given to avoid such collisions.This paper analyzes the orbital long-term variation of a dead satellite drifting in the geostationary orbit.Also,the negative effects posed by dead satellites upon the on-orbit operational geostationary satellites are studied.Then the paper proposes a novel idea to launch a satellite sweeper whose purpose is to collect the on-orbit dead satellites and help them de-orbit to a"graveyard".The satellite sweeper consists of a parent satellite and a child satellite.The child satellite collects a dead satellite and transfers it to a higher orbit.The parent satellite stationed in the geostationary orbit is in charge of refueling the child satellite.The strategy of maneuver and rendezvous is presented and a series of formulas are derived.The analysis results show that our method to clean the geostationary orbital zone is practical and fuel-saving.With the help of just a few satellite sweepers,we can gain a clean environment of geostationary orbit environment again.展开更多
基金financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange(No.PPI/APM/2018/1/00032/U/001)Work presented from projects of ESA includes work done during preliminary phases of ASPro(Pre-Qualification of Aluminium-Free Solid Propellant)and SPRODEM(Solid Propellant De-orbit Motor Engineering Model Development)projects funded within the General Support Technology Programme(GSTP)。
文摘This paper presents the topic of using solid rocket propulsion for de-orbiting spacecraft,in order to fulfil space debris mitigation requirements.The benefits and disadvantages of using such means are discussed.A dedicated system can be implemented in the satellite design phase and shall be a key subsystem of platforms inserted into orbit.Uncontrolled,semi-controlled and controlled de-orbit can be completed using solid rocket motors.Their impact on the space debris environment is discussed.Specific requirements for dedicated propellants and systems are provided.While the majority of presently developed rocket systems worldwide require high burn rates,several applications,including de-orbiting,benefit from solid propellants with decreased regression rates.This allows limiting spacecraft accelerations and loads during de-orbit manoeuvres.Moreover,the requirement of minimising solid particle generation is presented.Heritage technology from the Mercury and Gemini human spaceflight programmes,where de-orbit motors were used,is shown.Historical Soviet,American and Chinese film-return-capsule solid propellant retrorockets,enabling deorbit,are also presented.A detailed survey of current work worldwide on end-of-life disposal using solid propulsion is included.Challenges of developing dedicated systems are discussed.Finally,an outlook on solid rocket motor utilisation for space debris mitigation is provided.
基金supported by the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China ("863" Project) (Grant No. 2011AA7044026)
文摘In recent years,defunct satellites mitigation in the geostationary orbit(GEO) has become a hot issue in the space field.How to transfer defunct geostationary satellites to the graveyard orbit safely,economically and efficiently presents new challenges to spacecraft dynamics and control.This paper conducts an in-depth investigation on tether-tugging de-orbit issues of defunct geostationary satellites.Firstly,a four-phase tether-tugging de-orbit scheme including acceleration,equilibrium,rotation and return is proposed.This scheme takes into consideration how to avoid the risks of tether ripping,tug-target collision,and tether twist,and how to achieve the mission objective of fuel saving.Secondly,the dynamics model of the tether combination system is established based on Lagrange equation,and the four phases of tether-tugging de-orbit scheme are simulated respectively.Simulation results indicate that the scheme is theoretically feasible and satisfies the design objectives of safety,economy and efficiency,providing a technical approach for engineering application.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.60172029)
文摘The collision between satellites IRIDIUM 33 and COSMOS 2251 indicated that the clash of two on-orbit satellites was becoming an inevitable reality.Our calculation with the two-line orbit element by NORAD showed that some two geostationary satellites had approached very close in July 2009.Therefore,more attention should be given to avoid such collisions.This paper analyzes the orbital long-term variation of a dead satellite drifting in the geostationary orbit.Also,the negative effects posed by dead satellites upon the on-orbit operational geostationary satellites are studied.Then the paper proposes a novel idea to launch a satellite sweeper whose purpose is to collect the on-orbit dead satellites and help them de-orbit to a"graveyard".The satellite sweeper consists of a parent satellite and a child satellite.The child satellite collects a dead satellite and transfers it to a higher orbit.The parent satellite stationed in the geostationary orbit is in charge of refueling the child satellite.The strategy of maneuver and rendezvous is presented and a series of formulas are derived.The analysis results show that our method to clean the geostationary orbital zone is practical and fuel-saving.With the help of just a few satellite sweepers,we can gain a clean environment of geostationary orbit environment again.
