space debris deflector

8/3/2019 Space Debris Deflector

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SPACE DEBRIS DEFLECTOR-An approach to eliminate Space debris

By

Praveen.B

9790165131

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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@ABSTRACT@

The wireless communication and networking on a large scale is carried outthrough satellites. Hence the number of satellites and various missions toexplore the universe are increased due to the advancement in technology, butat the same time the increased debris in the space is increasing at an alarmrate. If this condition continues to the peak then the saturation point will bereached where no more satellites or missions can be sent due to the hazards

by the space debris.

The various kinds of space debris or space junk that are revolving around ourearth in an orbit possess a threat to the satellite communications. It travels atabout 10 kilometers per second (22,370 mph).Infact, these particles whethertiny or big are on their way to destroy the whole system of satellites and

space stations orbiting around our globe in the near future. This deadlydebris must be eliminated in order to have a complete access to our earthorbiting satellites.

The following paper gives an idea of reducing the space debris and alsoeliminating them.

Here in this paper a DEFLECTOR mechanism is employed which

directs the debris towards the earths atmosphere hence it will be burnt

up due to friction on entering. The Deflector is self driven using motor

powered by Solar panels and by signals from PLC.


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@INTRODUCTION@

In the modern era, communication plays a significant role in human life, aCountrys economy and further development in science and technology. The

communication system has developed to an extent that information exchangeacross any part of the blue planet is very easy. This is possible due to thesatellites revolving around us. Every nook and corner of the earth can beaccessed via satellites.

As Newton said, For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,the development in the satellite technology heads in one direction launchingmany satellites and the debris created due to these satellites possess a threatof destroying the satellites and heads in the opposite direction. In the next100 years, mans thirst for wider and better universal communication will

lead in launching of many satellites which in turn produces huge amount ofdebris. The space around the earth would get so congested that it needs to becleaned.

We have discussed about the various proposals that are made to clean theSpace junk. We have also suggested methods, which use the radiation

pressure exerted by high intensity lasers and sunlight in removing spacedebris.

@SPACE JUNK@

The unwanted materials that are revolving around the earth in different orbitsare called space junk. It can be classified into:

Natural junk- like meteorites, asteroids, comet tail etc

Man made junk-effluents from space missions, dead satellites,debris due to collision, spent rocket stages, discarded equipment,

and fragments from satellite breakups etc.

Space junk can be created in several ways: When satellites separate fromtheir boosters, they shed shrouds and other bits and pieces. They can collide.Boosters can malfunction and explode. Or spent booster segments with still-

pressurized fuel tanks can explode when hit by debris or after joints weaken


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from the constant freezing and thawing. Solid-fuel motors can give off"slag" as part of their exhaust plumes.

NASA estimates there are 4 million pounds of junk orbiting Earth. Morethan half the impacting debris is manmade. It travels at about 10 kilometers

per second (22,370 mph). Small asteroids and meteoroids, which is thenatural debris typically, move at twice that speed.

@HOW DOES IT AFFECT?@

Thousands of nuts, bolts, gloves and other debris from space missions forman orbiting garbage dump around Earth, presenting a hazard to spacecraft.Some of the bits and pieces scream along at 17,500 mph.Small junk, some of it created by rocket explosions, can rip holes in aspacecraft or disable a satellite by causing electrical shorts that result fromclouds of superheated gas, called plasma, that are sometimes generated in animpact.

The risk of satellites being hit by debris is increasing at an alarming rate. Thesolar panels present in the satellites are very delicate. So even very small

size debris could be a cause for the malfunctioning of the panel, which inturn may interrupt the efficiency of the data transfer.

In communication systems the satellites usually are grouped into networks.If a satellite is being hit by big debris then there is every possibility of itlosing its ability to function properly. This may break the communication


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network leading to large amount of financial and material loss for a certainamount of time until a replacement is made.

The most space debris created by a spacecraft's destruction was due to theupper stage of a Pegasus rocket launched in 1994. Its explosion in 1996generated a cloud of some 300,000 fragments bigger than 4 mm and 700among them were big enough to be catalogued. This explosion alonedoubled the Hubble Space Telescope collision risk.

To prove this we have found a inch hole in the Hubble. Even a speck ofpaint from a satellite dug a pit in a space shuttle window nearly a quarterinch wide. The replacement was made at the cost of $50,000.


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@DESIGN CONCEPT@

Deflector Panel (x 4)with Proximitysensors (5 mtr rangemin )

PLC(I/P = No ofProximity sensors)

Back side DeflectorPanel is made of Solarcells

Battery Pack(Recharged by solarpanels)


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Bearing Block tosupport rotatingdeflector

Motor + Belt drive torotate the deflectorswith respect to debrisangle

Back side DeflectorPanel is fixed to solarpanel with n springs.


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@WORKING CONCEPT@

STEP 1: Debris coming towards the deflector (x axis only)

STEP 2: Proximity sensor detects and sends signals to the PLC.

High signal regions are recognized by PLC (The region where more signals from

proximity ~ more accurate of debris hitting position)


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STEP 3: PLC Outputs the signal to the electric motor (stepper motor) to rotate

specific angle.

STEP 4: Motor draws power from battery source and rotates to specific angle.

(Shows simulation of 2 belts and 1 motor- Different mechanism can be employed for

rotating the deflector panel also)


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STEP 5: Deflector rotates such that it deflects debris to earth atmosphere


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@SOLAR PANEL RECHARGING@STEP 1: Light Rays coming towards the deflector (x axis only)

STEP 2: Light Rays coming towards the deflector falling on heat sensor(x axis only)

Lightrays

Deflector

SolarPanel


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STEP 3: Heat sensor sends signal to PLC(x axis only)

STEP 4: PLC rotates motor making solar panel to face the sun


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STEP 5: Solar panel recharges the battery.

space debris deflector

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