Optimal thrust control during tether deployment after harpoon capture of space debris

The process of removal of a passive object by an active spacecraft is considered. It consists of three phases: harpoon capture, tether deployment and towing. The impact impulse from the harpoon is used to reduce the angular velocity of the target and to drive it into a towing state. A thrust control law for the tether deployment phase is proposed and optimal control parameters for safe towing are defined. The limits of applicability of the considered control law were found taking into account constructive and strength limitations of the system. As an example of using the proposed approach, a numerical simulation of the removal an Ariane 4 upper stage was performed.

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