A Tethered Towing Method for Space Debris Removal

Abstract

The invention discloses a rope system dragging system and method used for cleaning away space debris, and belongs to the technical field of spaceflight. The rope system dragging system used for cleaning away the space debris comprises a tugboat, a rope and a rope retraction mechanism, and the space debris is the to-be-dragged object which can be cleaned away; the end, connected to the tugboat, ofthe rope is a main rope, the other end of the rope is bifurcated into a plurality of sub ropes connected to the edge of the space debris, the tugboat is utilized to generate pushing force, so that thespace debris is dragged for deorbiting, and the cleaning task is completed; the sub ropes connected with the edge of the space debris are adopted to increase the redundancy of the system, and the reliability of the rope system dragging system is improved; the sub ropes connected with the space debris can generate force torque for correcting the posture deviation of the space debris to inhibit posture motions of the space debris, so that the unstability of the rope system dragging system is avoided. The invention further discloses the rope system dragging method used for cleaning away the space debris. The method is used for the rope system dragging system used for cleaning away the space debris to achieve the purpose of cleaning away the space debris.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a rope dragging system and method for clearing space debris, in particular to a clearing system and method for dragging large flexible space debris by multi-rope forks, belonging to the field of aerospace technology. Background technique [0002] The tethered towing system, which connects the tugboat to the space debris through a tether, implements appropriate orbital maneuvers on the tugboat, thereby bringing the space debris into a graveyard orbit or falling into the atmosphere to burn up. The system has a simple structure, variable tether length and no special requirements for the use environment, so it is considered to be one of the effective methods for removing space debris. Compared with other space debris, space debris in geosynchronous orbit is often larger in size and heavier in mass, and it carries flexible accessories. The vibration of flexible accessories will have a great impact on the stability of the system. Th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In addition, the connection method of the single rope makes it difficult to control the attitude movement of the space debris, and the impact of the vibration of the flexible attachment on the system cannot be eliminated. The initial attitude deviation of the space debris in any direction may lead to system instability and even affect the success or failure of the mission.

Images