active debris removal using modified launch vehicle upper stages
Upload: space-generation-advisory-council-space-safety-and-sustainability-project-group
Post on 19-Aug-2014
77 views
DESCRIPTION
During the past few years, several research programs have assessed the current state and future evolution of space debris in the Low Earth Orbit region. These studies indicate that space debris density could reach a critical level such that there will be a continuous increase in the number of debris objects, primarily driven by debris-debris collision activity known as the Kessler effect. These studies also highlight the urgency for active debris removal. An Active Debris Removal System (ADRS) is capable of approaching the debris object through a close-range rendezvous, stabilizing its attitude, establishing physical contact, and finally de-orbiting the debris object. The de-orbiting phase could be powered by propulsion systems such as chemical rockets or electrodynamic tether (EDT) systems. The aim of this project is to model and evaluate a debris removal mission in which an adapted rocket upper stage, equipped with an electrodynamic tether (EDT) system, is employed for de-orbiting a debris object. This ADRS package is installed initially as part of a launch vehicle on a normal satellite deployment mission, and a far-approach manoeuvre will be required to align the ADRS’ orbit with that of the target debris. We begin by selecting a suitable target debris and launch vehicle, and then proceed with modelling the entire debris removal mission from launch to de-orbiting of the target debris object using Analytical Graphic Inc.’s Systems Tool Kit (STK). Presented at the 2013 IAASS Conference "Safety Is Not An Option", Montreal, Canada.TRANSCRIPT
ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Matteo EmanuelliS. Ali Nasseri
Siddharth Raval Andrea Turconi
SGAC Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
2IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• ADR: Where?
• System concept
• System components
• Feasibility study
• Conclusion
• Future work
Outline
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
3IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Space debris density could reach a critical level.• Continuous increase in the number of debris
objects, primarily driven by debris-debris collision activity.
• Mitigation guidelines don’t apply to existing debris.• Existing debris risk is higher in low-Earth orbit
(LEO) due to a combination of high debris concentration, large number of crossings and high relative velocities.
• NASA studies: To stabilize the LEO debris environment, 5-15 large objects have to be removed per year
Space Debris Situation
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
4IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• The critical region of interest for a future Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions• Altitude between 800km and 1000km, with an
inclination ranging from 60° to 110° • The larger space debris were identified as
suitable ADR targets• Higher total mass • Higher risk of cascade collisions• Easy to track • Well defined in size, mass and shape
• Focusing on rocket bodies
Suitable ADR targets
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
5IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• In the selected region of interest, 141 rocket bodies are being tracked
• The majority of which are at an inclination of around 80°.
Suitable ADR targets
157
33
1419
1110 8
27
KomosSoyuzTsyklon-3ZenitDneprThor Burner 2AScoutOther
04/07/2023
Kosmos
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
6IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Kosmos-3 M debris used as case study. (SL-8 R/B
32053)
• Orbital altitude of 959 km, inclination of about 83° and
mass of 1435 kg
• Does not decay automatically within the 25 years
guideline ADR mission necessary for timely disposal
• Many studies on ADR conducted by various entities
currently focus on the Kosmos 3M
Target Debris for Test Studies
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
7IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Target Debris for Test Studies
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
8IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• An Active Debris Removal System (ADRS) is capable of approaching the debris object through a close-range rendezvous, establishing physical contact, stabilizing its attitude and finally de-orbiting the debris object.
• Frequent missions• Cost-effective• Initial solution: A piggyback payload with two
propulsion systems• However, upper stages are used during the launch
and they do have many subsystems which we need• Why not use them?
System Concept
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
9IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Modify launch vehicle upper stage • All de-orbiting subsystems integrated onto the
upper stage (as packages) and work in concert with upper stage subsystems during mission.
• Merits:• No new debris due to space launch. (average 70
launches per year)• One large space debris can be de-orbited per launch,
stabilizing the debris environment• Reduced cost and complexity by using upper stage
subsystems
System Concept
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
10IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Concept of Operation
Phase 5Reduce inclination using chemical propulsion Deploy EDT Reduce orbital altitude to 200 km
Phase 4
Estimate motion of debris Grab object Control attitude
Phase 3
Approach debris object Identify objectPhase 2
Deliver primary payload Initiate debris removal mission
Phase 1
Launch
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
11IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Case study performed using these estimations
System Components
Subsystems Mass (kg)EDT mass [8] 80Grabbing Mechanism 100Motion Estimation 5Power System 5Misc. 10Total 200
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
12IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
System Components: Grabbing Mechanism
04/07/2023
Method Pros Cons
Docking through propulsive nozzle
Application for a wide range of rocket bodies. Usable also if the target is spinning.
Very precise close approach required. Not applicable to tumbling targets.
HarpoonProjectile designed to anchor safely into a wide range of materials.
Possible creation of new debris during the impact, risk of explosion, attitude modification.
Net Indifferent to target attitude.
Net’s material to be flexible and resistant. Net deployment required specialized manoeuvres.
Robotic arm
Applicable to different type of space debris. Provides the most control on the space debris.
De-tumbling procedure required. Accurate pre-inspection of the debris to chose the grabbing point. Most complex.
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK
13IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Analyzed as a possible option• Propellant-less and fully reusable• Low thrust• Collision avoidance is critical due to their length• Current model (Bombardelli, 2010)
System Components: EDT
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
14IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Criteria • Reach the target orbit with enough payload. • Restartable due to the number of maneuvers required. • Enough propellant for the mission.
• Following launchers analyzed• Soyuz 2 with the Fregat upper stage launched from the
Plesetsk and Kourou spaceports.• Proton M with the Breeze-M upper stage launched from the
Plesetsk spaceport. • DELTA 4M launched from Vandenberg air force base.• Atlas 5 401 launched from Vandenberg air force base.• Vega launched from Kourou spaceport.
• Small, medium and heavy launch systems are all represented.
Mission Analysis: Launch
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
15
• Simulation in AGI STK• Several manoeuvres, during which the primary payload is
released, the upper stage reaches the target orbit at an altitude of 920 km and an inclination of 83°
• The upper stage should approach and grab the debris (not modelled)
• Reduce inclination, if necessary
Mission Analysis: ΔV Required
IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
04/07/2023
Manoeuvre Δ V (km/s)Launch Vehicle Soyuz 2 Plesetsk Soyuz 2 Kourou Proton M Vega Delta 4 ATLAS 5
Altitude increase 0.105 0.164 0.105 0.181 0.177 0.186
Hohmann transfer 0.056 0.143 0.056 0.196 0.046 0.046
Combined change 0.849 2.200 0.849 2.139 0.331 0.331
Inclination change 1 (83 to 74 deg) 1.710 1.101 1.71 1.101 1.100 1.100
Inclination change 2 (74 to 66 deg) 1.101 0.600 1.101 0.501 0.501 0.501
Inclination change 3 (66 to 53 deg) 1.809 1.908 1.809 - 2.093 2.107
Inclination change 4 (53 to 43 deg) 1.402 1.300 1.402 - 1.204 1.221
Inclination change 5 (43 to 29 deg) 1.576 1.900 1.576 - 1.901 1.901
Inclination change 6 (29 to 18 deg) 2.808 1.700 2.808 - 1.829 1.731
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
16IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Mission Analysis: Propellant Available
04/07/2023
ATLAS V DELTA IV M
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
17IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Mission Analysis: Propellant Available
Soyuz from Plesetsk Soyuz from Korou
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
18IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Mission Analysis: Propellant Available
Proton M Vega
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
19IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• At least a velocity increment of 0.5 km/s is needed• Propellant used in grabbing manoeuvre not included
Mission Analysis: Direct De-orbit
04/07/2023
InclinationΔV (km/s)
ATLAS V DELTA IV M Proton Soyuz from Kourou
Soyuz from Plesetsk
83 7.618 7.672 4.043 0 1.82074 6.518 6.572 2.333 0 0.11066 6.016 6.071 1.232 0 053 3.909 3.978 0 0 043 2.689 2.774 0 0 029 0.787 0.873 0 0 018 0 0 0 0 0
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
20IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Mission Analysis: Time to De-orbit with EDT
04/07/2023
Reduce altitude to 200 km
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
21IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• The launch cost for the system ranges from $390 k to $1689 k, averaging at $848k.
• As the upper stage removes itself and a rocket body, it seems reasonable that the removal cost per kg of debris will be lower than costs per kg using this concept, which is important in choosing ADR methods [9].
• May be implemented as a service provided by the launch service provider.
Costs and Implementation
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK
22IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• The proposed solution can remove large space
debris from high altitude high inclination LEO
orbits in a timely manner using medium to heavy
launchers.
• Heavy launchers could carry out the mission
without an EDT or on several objects, but medium
upper stages require an EDT system.
Conclusions
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK
23IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
• Finalize choice of grabbing mechanism
• Model the close approach, grabbing and
stabilization of the space debris
• Re-entry safety analysis
• Cost estimation
• Simulate mission for more launchers and several
target debris for comparison
Future Work
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK
24IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Acknowledgement
1. Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI)
2. International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety
04/07/2023ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES
SGAC: BEYOND A NETWORK 04/07/2023
25IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON SPACE APPLICATIONS
Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group
Sustaining space activities for future generations
Email: [email protected]: www.spacegeneration.org/sss
Thank you!
ADR USING MODIFIED UPPER STAGES