Design of an Integrated Platform for Active Debris Removal

Abstract

In research concerning active debris removal, scholars have proposed dozens of schemes for removing debris. However, every scheme has both advantages and disadvantages, and no scheme possesses an overwhelming advantage. This paper proposes an integrated platform scheme which integrates multiple capture and deorbit technologies, such as a tethered net, harpoon, and robotic arm, to improve the success rate in terms of the active removal of debris of different shapes and different sizes. The design of the mechanisms of the integrated platform is presented in detail.

Keywords

• space debris
• active debris removal
• tethered net
• harpoon
• robotic arm