Active Debris Removal Systems
Author
Isabelle Jacobson
PHYS F211X F06, Fall 2018
Professor David Newman
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Space Debris Removal Systems

Space debris low in Earth's orbit has become a significant threat to current and future spacecraft missions.

  • Space debris can collide with and damage spacecraft.
  • These collisions contribute to the cascade effect of space debris.
  • As a result, space debris has become smaller and harder to detect by current systems.

If you are interested in learning about possible methods for active debris removal and technological methods of detecting and avoiding debris, continue reading »

Space Satellite with Robotic Arm Attachment

Space Satellite Visual Representation
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 This technology would approach the debris and, if not used to pull the debris down to Earth’s surface, would be able to positively alter rotation and path of the debris to make it easier to remove a short time later. In order to make this an effective method, debris rotation would need to decrease in speed by separate technology in the satellite, which would likely be an EDT system. It is challenging and often impossible for a robotic arm to effectively connect with and move space debris as it is rotating quickly or in an unpredictable way.2 Using this system with another system of active space debris removal would be more effective for medium but not small pieces of debris. While this method is practical in the sense that the system can be programed to move debris to exact locations, it would not be effective in removing small debris quickly or in removing large debris entirely.