Abstract
Space debris, especially the space debris cloud, has threatened severely the safety of future space missions. In the framework of multibody system dynamics, a computational approach is proposed in this study to investigate the dynamics of net deployment and capture of space debris cloud using this net subject to large overall motions and large deformations. To obtain high simulation fidelity of capturing space debris cloud, the gradient deficient beam element of the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is employed to discretize threads which are woven into the net. The normal contact force between the net and the debris cloud and among debris particles is computed by using the penalty method. Some deployment examples are presented to investigate the influences of shooting velocity of bullets and microgravity as well as the angle between the traveling direction of the net and the microgravity direction on the deployment characteristics of the tethered net. Other capturing examples are given to clarify the effect of the deployment area of the net at the moment it starts to contact with the debris cloud on the capture rate and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for capturing space debris cloud using the net in microgravity conditions.
Highlights
Space debris in orbit around the Earth is produced by space activities and has been growing by nearly geometric progression [1]
Botta et al established the models of the chaser, net, target, contact dynamics, and closing mechanism used for tethered net capture of space debris and simulated the process of capturing a small asteroid [34]
As threads woven into the net are usually very thin, it is very suitable to establish the dynamic model of the net undergoing large deformations and large overall motions in space based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) gradient deficient beam element [19]
Summary
Space debris in orbit around the Earth is produced by space activities and has been growing by nearly geometric progression [1]. Botta et al established the models of the chaser, net, target, contact dynamics, and closing mechanism used for tethered net capture of space debris and simulated the process of capturing a small asteroid [34]. To test the performance of active debris removal technologies on mock targets in low Earth orbit, Forshaw et al and Aglietti et al have developed techniques and devices, for example, navigation, hardware, and software, to capture noncooperative targets in their RemoveDEBRIS demonstration mission [38,39,40]. The masses of these debris particles in the cloud are very small, and their dynamic responses.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
