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Satellite angular motion classification for active on-orbit debris removal using robots

Karol Seweryn (Centrum Badan Kosmicznych, Polska Akademia Nauk, Warszawa, Poland)
Jurek Z. Sasiadek (Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada)

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 19 October 2018

Issue publication date: 6 March 2019

184

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a novel method for identification and classification of rotational motion for uncontrolled satellites. These processes are shown in context of close proximity orbital operations. In particular, it includes a manipulator arm mounted on chaser satellite and used to capture target satellites. In such situations, a precise extrapolation of the target’s docking port position is needed to determine the manipulator arm motion. The outcome of this analysis might be used in future debris removal or servicing space missions.

Design/methodology/approach

Nonlinear, and in some special cases, chaotic nature of satellite rotational motion was considered. Four parameters were defined: range of motion toward docking port, dominant frequencies, fractal dimension of the motion and its time dependencies.

Findings

The qualitative analysis was performed for presented cases of spacecraft rotational motion and for each case the respective parameters were calculated. The analysis shows that it is possible to detect the type of rotational motion.

Originality/value

A novel procedure allowing to estimate the type of satellite rotational motion based on fractal approach was proposed.

Keywords

Citation

Seweryn, K. and Sasiadek, J.Z. (2018), "Satellite angular motion classification for active on-orbit debris removal using robots", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 91 No. 2, pp. 317-332. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-01-2018-0049

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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