Dynamics and capability of along orbit debris self-collecting with rotating constant magnets

Abstract

Orbital debris with equivalent size of 1∼10 cm is hard to be detected and its number is huge, which is the most harmful to on-orbit spacecraft while there is still no effective removal means. Inspired by vacuum cleaner, applying the conductive property of orbital debris and the physical law that variable magnetic flux would induce eddy current on the surface of a conductive material, this paper put forward a novel approach of ‘along orbit debris self-collecting with rotating constant magnetic dipole array’. Based on dynamic modeling, self-collecting feasibility and control capability analysis, evolution law of relative orbital motion with induced magnetic force derivation, and on-orbit debris magnetic collecting numerical simulation, this novel approach has been verified and the corresponding requirements of magnetic collector are put forward. In addition, this paper also gave how to use several key parameters to adjust the region of along orbit debris self-collecting, and pointed out several problems needing to be researched in-depth for actual application.