Space Debris Detection and Removal

The aim of the paper is to design and analyze a nanosatellite for space debris detection and removal. Space debris is becoming a huge problem in the field of space explorations. The debris that surrounds the planet earth is also creating huge pollution problems. It is becoming a serious crisis and increasing the chance of accidents when planning to launch new missions. By adding the features to detect the presence of this hazardous space waste in a satellite and the method to remove it, we can achieve clear and accident free space navigation. To achieve this aim, ASTRAA NANOSAT is designed and analyzed using CATIA V5 and Nastran Patran software.

“Space Junk”, a word that came into existence quite recently, compared to other Global predicaments has now surpassed most of them to become one of the most alarming and attention grabbing. The evolution of this complication can be dated back to the times when the Technological Advancement was peaking into the Future. Prior to 1961,
there were only 50 Artificial Satellites that were orbiting the Earth but with the passage of time and Technology namely Anti Satellite Testing and Explosions resulted in Debris Formation at an exponential rate.

According to the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space prepared by the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs, space debris is "all man-made objects, including fragments and elements thereof, in Earth's orbit or re-entering the atmosphere, that are non-functional" (2010, p. 1). This debris usually consists of fragments of previously launched spacecraft, such as satellites and rocket boosters. It is often the result of accidental explosions or collisions that occurred with these craft (Imburgia 2011, pp. 593-594). Space debris can be more precisely classified by its presence in either low Earth orbit (LEO) or geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). Debris in LEO is typically more easily deorbited and has a shorter lifespan in orbit than GEO, which is more difficult to remove and may remain in orbit for millions of years. The biggest cause of space debris has historically been explosions (Imburgia 2011, p. 595). Inadvertent collisions have also played a major role in the exacerbation of this problem. Some examples include China's deliberate destruction of a nonfunctional weather satellite in 2007, which resulted in about 3000 pieces of debris and a 2009 collision between the Iridium 33 and a Cosmos satellite, which created an additional 2000 pieces of large debris (Larsen 2018, p. 478). These events alone increased the population of large debris objects in LEO up to that time by about 70% (Johnson 2010, p. 1).

“Space Junk”, a word that came into existence quite recently, compared to other Global predicaments has now surpassed most of them to become one of the most alarming and attention grabbing. The evolution of this complication can be dated back to the times when the Technological Advancement was peaking into the Future. Prior to 1961, there were only 50 Artificial Satellites that were orbiting the Earth but with the passage of time and Technology namely Anti Satellite Testing and Explosions resulted in Debris Formation at an exponential rate.