Can a flexible tether save our orbit from accumulating space debris?
In short: As orbital congestion grows, engineers are looking to 'space tugs' for debris removal. But towing a satellite with a flexible link is a mechanical nightmare of vibrations and collisions. Discover how a student team used zero-gravity flights to master the art of orbital towing.
The concept of a 'space tug' involves two orbiting objects—one active and one passive—connected by a flexible link. This method is proposed for several critical space missions, including active debris removal, satellite servicing, and even the retrieval of asteroids. However, managing the dynamics of a tethered system presents immense challenges for guidance and control design.
One of the most dangerous phenomena in these operations is the 'bounce-back' effect. When the active spacecraft's thrusters are shut down, the tether slackens. The residual tension can then accelerate both objects toward each other, significantly increasing the risk of a collision. Furthermore, the tether can become entangled on either the chaser or the target, potentially leading to a breakage of the link.
To address these risks, the PoliTethers team from Politecnico di Milano conducted an experiment during the 65th ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign in late 2016. Using the Novespace A310 Zero-G aircraft, they tested control strategies designed to dampen vibrations and stabilize the system. They specifically investigated wave-based controllers that shape the thrust profile using tension feedback to mitigate 'whiplash' and instability.
The in-flight experiment, known as SatLeash, utilized a reduced-scale floating test bed equipped with acceleration sensors and a stereovision system to reconstruct 3D trajectories. By testing different tether stiffnesses, the team was able to confirm the effectiveness of their proposed control strategy, providing vital validation for the multibody dynamics models required for future space transportation missions.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fly Your Thesis! 2016 - Politethers team
- Also: TETHERED-TUGS FOR ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL: MICROGRAVITY EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF DYNAMICS AND CONTROL | ESA Proceedings Database
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