用于废弃卫星和轨道碎片的先进充气式脱轨解决方案
Advanced Inflatable De-Orbit Solutions for Derelict Satellites and Orbital Debris
摘要：
低地球轨道上的小卫星和立方体卫星呈指数级增长，对未来的空间交通管理提出了重大挑战。在600公里及以下的高度，空气动力阻力加速了卫星的离轨。然而，星座所需的在更高高度放置卫星构成了重要挑战。卫星将需要机载推进器将轨道降低到600公里，并让空气动力阻力接管。在这项工作中，我们分析了在高达3000公里的高度离轨卫星的解决方案。我们认为一个模块化的机器人脱轨装置，已存放体积的一个定期立方体卫星。脱轨装置将从外部指向失效卫星或由外部卫星服务系统放置在失效卫星上。我们的解决方案旨在成为简单、高可靠性的设备，以无源方式运行，不需要有源电子器件或利用射频、微波或激光形式的外部波束功率来运行。利用这种方法，外部甚至地基系统都有可能引导航天器脱离轨道。外部系统在引导脱轨方面的作用对于避免意外碰撞十分重要。需要某种形式的推进来降低报废卫星或轨道碎片的轨道。我们考虑了绿色（无毒）推进方法，包括太阳辐射压力，使用水蒸汽的太阳能热推进，使用水的太阳能电解推进和使用电动系绳。根据这一权衡研究，我们确定了可用于航天器或轨道碎片脱轨的多种解决方案。
英文摘要：
The exponential rise in small-satellites and CubeSats in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) poses important challenges for future space traffic management. At altitudes of 600 km and lower, aerodynamic drag accelerates de-orbiting of satellites. However, placement of satellites at higher altitudes required for constellations pose important challenges. The satellites will require on-board propulsion to lower their orbits to 600 km and let aerodynamic drag take-over. In this work we analyze solutions for de-orbiting satellites at altitudes of up to 3000 km. We consider a modular robotic de-orbit device that has stowed volume of a regular CubeSat. The de-orbit device would be externally directed towards a dead satellite or placed on one by an external satellite servicing system. Our solutions are intended to be simple, high-reliability devices that operate in a passive manner, requiring no active electronics or utilize external beamed power in the form of radio frequency, microwave or laser to operate. Utilizing this approach, it is possible for an external, even ground based system to direct the de-orbit of a spacecraft. The role of an external system to direct the de-orbit is important to avoid accidental collisions. Some form of propulsion is needed to lower the orbit of the dead satellite or orbital debris. We considered green (non-toxic) propulsion methods including solar radiation pressure, solar-thermal propulsion using water steam, solar-electrolysis propulsion using water and use of electrodynamic tethers. Based on this trade-study we identify multiple solutions that can be used to de-orbit a spacecraft or orbital debris.
机构、总结、中文摘要均由AI分析而来，可能存在错误，请以论文正文为准。
