SRM plume: A candidate as space debris braking system for Just-In-Time Collision avoidance maneuver

Abstract

A possible system suited for Just-In Time Collision Avoidance (JCA) is a cloud injected in a sub-orbital trajectory by a sounding rocket that will drag down the passing object because of the local higher density. The sudden deceleration experienced by the debris will after a few revolutions ensure a consistent deviation from its nominal trajectory and therefore will permit a safe reduction of any collision risk with other objects. This article first introduces a feasibility study of such a system, using as baseline an SRM and then enlarges the study to an enhanced system.