Survivability Evaluation of Electrodynamic Tethers Considering Dynamic Fracture in Space-Debris Impact

Abstract

Electrodynamic tethers are used to remove large uncontrollable satellites from low Earth orbits. However, tether systems are vulnerable to collisions with space debris orbiting at high speeds. Such collisions can easily sever electrodynamic tethers. The success of an electrodynamic tether mission to remove uncontrollable satellites from low Earth orbits will depend in part on how often the electrodynamic tether collides with space debris and how the electrodynamic tether fractures as a result of a collision. The dynamic fracture progress of an electrodynamic tether in response to a collision with space debris has not been previously considered in predicting the success rate of an electrodynamic tether mission. In this study, the fracture progress of an electrodynamic tether owing to a hypervelocity impact collision with space debris was experimentally and numerically examined to understand the dynamic fracture phenomenon. In addition, an estimate of the survivability of an electrodynamic tether in orbit was made, which included a consideration of the dynamic fracture of the tether, and this estimate was found to be lower than the survivability estimate, which did not consider the dynamic fracture of the tether.