Wholesale debris removal from LEO

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• 作者：Eugene Levin^a ; Jerome Pearson^a ; ^{jp@star-tech-inc.com} ; Joseph Carroll^b
• 关键词：Orbital debris ; Active debris removal ; Electrodynamic propulsion ; Electrodynamic tether ; Debris capture
• 刊名：Acta Astronautica
• 出版年：2012
• 出版时间：April-May 2012
• 年：2012
• 卷：73
• 期：Complete
• 页码：100-108
• 全文大小：437 K

文摘

Recent advances in electrodynamic propulsion make it possible to seriously consider wholesale removal of large debris from LEO for the first time since the beginning of the space era. Cumulative ranking of large groups of the LEO debris population and general limitations of passive drag devices and rocket-based removal systems are analyzed. A candidate electrodynamic debris removal system is discussed that can affordably remove all debris objects over 2 kg from LEO in 7 years. That means removing more than 99 % of the collision-generated debris potential in LEO. Removal is performed by a dozen 100-kg propellantless vehicles that react against the Earth's magnetic field. The debris objects are dragged down and released into short-lived orbits below ISS. As an alternative to deorbit, some of them can be collected for storage and possible in-orbit recycling. The estimated cost per kilogram of debris removed is a small fraction of typical launch costs per kilogram. These rates are low enough to open commercial opportunities and create a governing framework for wholesale removal of large debris objects from LEO.