Dynamics and Control of a Two-Spacecraft Coulomb Formation: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the issue of active large space debris removal. The contactless method of influencing space debris through the electrostatic interaction is considered. The main advantages of this method are possibility of space debris removal in geosynchronous orbit with low energy costs and absence of a dangerous and complex stage of space debris capturing or docking. This paper introduces the trends and features of a relative attitude dynamics and control of the two-spacecraft coulomb formation. The advantages of the multi-sphere method are discussed for modeling and analyzing the attitude motion of space debris. Two towing schemes (push or pull) are studied in detail. It is shown that the pushing scheme has distinct advantages. The features of the attitude motion of the towed object are identified including chaotic phenomenas and control laws of attitude motion are presented. In the final, the possibilities removal of non-functioning GEO satellites of complicated configuration using electrostatic tug are discussed.