Dynamics and control of space debris during its contactless ion beam assisted removal

Abstract

The space debris removal is one of the most important challenges of astronautics. The creation of contactless transportation systems based on the ion beam is a promising direction for solving this problem. The orientation of the debris object in the ion beam has a great influence on the magnitude and direction of the force transmitted by this beam. The aims of the work are to study the attitude dynamics of space debris during its transportation by ion beam, to search angular motion modes, which are most favourable from the point of view of the force transmission efficiency by the ion beam, and to develop the engine thrust control law that ensures the transfer of the object to these motion modes. A mathematical model describing the space debris motion under the influence of gravitational, and ion beam forces and torques is developed. An analysis of the cylindrical space debris object’s undisturbed attitude motion is carried out, and the most favourable orientation of space debris is determined. Control law for transferring the space debris in the required angular motion mode by a change in the thrust of the ion engine are considered. Numerical simulation confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed control law.