To control the growth of space debris in the geostationary earth orbit （GEO）, a novel solution of net capture and tether-tugging reorbiting is proposed. After capture, the tug （i.e., active spacecraft）, tether, ne...To control the growth of space debris in the geostationary earth orbit （GEO）, a novel solution of net capture and tether-tugging reorbiting is proposed. After capture, the tug （i.e., active spacecraft）, tether, net, and target （i.e., GEO debris） constitute a rig- id-flexible coupled tethered combination system （TCS）, and subsequently the system is transported to the graveyard orbit by a thruster equipped on the tug. This paper attempts to study the dynamics of tether-tugging leorbiting after net capture. The net is equivalent to four flexible bridles, and the tug and target are viewed as rigid bodies. A sophisticated mathematical model is developed, taking into account the system orbital motion, relative motion of two spacecraft and spacecraft attitude motion. Given the complexity of the model, the numerical method is adopted to study the system dynamics characteristics. Particular attention is given to the investigation of the possible risks such as tether slack, spacecraft collision, tether rupture, tether-tug intertwist and destabilizing of the rug＇s attitude. The influence of the initial conditions and the magnitudes of the thrust are studied.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
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11272345)
文摘To control the growth of space debris in the geostationary earth orbit （GEO）, a novel solution of net capture and tether-tugging reorbiting is proposed. After capture, the tug （i.e., active spacecraft）, tether, net, and target （i.e., GEO debris） constitute a rig- id-flexible coupled tethered combination system （TCS）, and subsequently the system is transported to the graveyard orbit by a thruster equipped on the tug. This paper attempts to study the dynamics of tether-tugging leorbiting after net capture. The net is equivalent to four flexible bridles, and the tug and target are viewed as rigid bodies. A sophisticated mathematical model is developed, taking into account the system orbital motion, relative motion of two spacecraft and spacecraft attitude motion. Given the complexity of the model, the numerical method is adopted to study the system dynamics characteristics. Particular attention is given to the investigation of the possible risks such as tether slack, spacecraft collision, tether rupture, tether-tug intertwist and destabilizing of the rug＇s attitude. The influence of the initial conditions and the magnitudes of the thrust are studied.
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.
