Parabola type space debris catapult

Abstract

To cause space debris to collide with a hard repulsion plate of a parabola type and make it slide along a paraboloid, in order to enable particularly orbit change of rotating space debris that is highly difficult.SOLUTION: At a back part of a space ship 10, a parabola type catapult 1 is mounted. The space ship 10 in cooperation with a reconnaissance satellite 11 ambushes debris 14 along a predicted flight path, based on data transmitted from space debris observation places 16 around the world. Artificial intelligence (AI) loaded on the space ship 10 calculates a relative speed with the debris 14 and an angle of a parabola type catapult 1, by using data from a reconnaissance satellite 11, and a Doppler radar 4 or a CMOS sensor 5, in order to adjust the relative speed with the debris 14 and the angle of the parabola type catapult 1 by operating a rocket motor 7 and a manipulator 2. Accordingly, the debris 14 is caused to collide with the parabola type catapult 1, and the debris 14 is caused to slide along a paraboloid of the parabola type catapult 1, such that an orbit of the debris 14 changes and its altitude decreases, so that the debris re-enters the atmosphere and is burned out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a space debris repelling plate with easy orbit change.

Background Art

[0002] Space debris (hereinafter referred to as debris) is an unused artificial object existing in the Earth's orbit, such as a rocket or artificial satellite that has completed its mission, or an object such as a fragment separated from these. Debris orbits around the Earth at approximately 28,000 km / h. For example, when a 13-mm-diameter aluminum sphere (mass of about 3 g) collides at this speed, it has the energy to penetrate an aluminum plate 50 mm thick. If debris collides with an artificial satellite, components may malfunction and the satellite may lose its function. Also, components constituting the artificial satellite may break and become fragments, generating new debris. Therefore, debris must be removed to protect spacecraft such as operating spaceships and artificial satellites.

[0003] There is a method of launching a satellite that physically captures debris to remove it. Debris is grasped with a magnet, arm, net, etc., its orbit is changed to lower its altitude, and it re-enters the atmosphere and burns out. However, this method requires advanced technology to control speed and position for approach and capture. Especially when the debris is rotating, the difficulty increases, and if it cannot be dealt with properly, the satellite that captures the debris may collide with the debris itself.

[0004] Electrodynamic tether (hereinafter referred to as EDT) is one method for lowering the orbit of space debris, re-entering the atmosphere, and burning it out. The electromagnetic force generated by the interaction between the current flowing through a long conductive string (tether) and the Earth's magnetic field is used as a braking force to lower the orbit, and its greatest feature is that it does not require fuel. However, even with this method, when the debris is rotating, it becomes difficult to handle, and if it cannot deal with the rotating debris, there is a problem that the tether gets entangled with the debris and is cut.

[0005] The method of removing space debris using a laser changes the orbit of an uncontrollable satellite, brings it closer to the Earth's atmosphere, and causes it to burn out. The feature of this method is a highly safe non-contact method. However, even with this method, when a plasma stream is injected toward the debris, the thruster is accelerated in the direction opposite to the debris, making it difficult to keep the distance from the debris constant. To remove debris weighing several tons, it is necessary to install a large electric thruster of several kW class, so improvements such as enhancing durability are required. Specifically, to remove debris weighing several tons in about 100 days, it is necessary to install a thruster capable of generating a thrust of several tens of mN with several kW of power.

[0006] As a countermeasure for this improvement, it is necessary to inject plasma in the direction opposite to the debris to cancel the force acting on the satellite. In the method using an ion engine, which has been proposed as a debris removal method using a plasma thruster, there are problems such as the need to install two engines, which further increases the cost. Prior art

[0007] JAXA is conducting research on EDT with the aim of removing debris. Utilizing the results of the on-orbit experiment conducted by Hayabusa6 in 2017, JAXA is also promoting research on the EDT system and its elemental technologies.

[0008] SKY Perfect JSAT demonstrated in 2019, in collaboration with the RIKEN, that by irradiating the surface of an object with a laser, vaporizing and plasmaizing the substance on the surface of the object and discharging it, the reaction force can be used as a propulsive force to sufficiently move an unnecessary satellite.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The problem to be solved is that in the method of changing the orbit of debris, lowering the altitude, re-entering the atmosphere, and burning it out, sophisticated technologies are required to control the speed and position for approach and capture. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a debris removal method that can easily change the orbit of rotating debris, which is particularly difficult.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention mainly features attaching a space debris repelling plate (hereinafter referred to as a catapult) to the back of a spacecraft to travel along the orbit of the debris, colliding the debris with the catapult, and launching the debris along an inclined plane to cause it to re-enter the atmosphere in order to enable the orbit change of the rotating debris.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] The catapult of the present invention can efficiently change the orbit of the debris with a small force by utilizing the inertial force of the debris. Therefore, it has the advantage of promoting the re-entry into the atmosphere while maintaining the kinetic energy of the debris.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] In order to achieve the purpose of changing the orbit without affecting the rotating debris or other space equipment, which is particularly difficult, by making the rigid repelling plate parabolic, it is realized with as little energy as possible.

Examples

[0014] Figure 1 is an implementation diagram of the parabolic catapult of the device of the present invention. 1 is the parabolic catapult, 2 is the manipulator, 3 is the damper, 4 is the Doppler radar, 5 is the CMOS sensor, 6 is the telescopic rod, 7 is the rocket motor, 8 is the hinge, 9 is the solar power generation panel, 10 is the spacecraft, 11 is the scout satellite, 12 is the rocket fuel storage tank, 13 is the STARSHIP, 14 is the space debris, 15 is the Earth, 16 is the space debris observation station, 17 is the ground control center, and 18 is the storage.

[0015] Equip the back of the spacecraft 10 with a parabolic catapult 1. The solar power generation panel 9 and the rocket motor 7 are foldable and can be completely hidden in the shadow of the parabolic catapult 1 to avoid a secondary collision with the debris 14. Furthermore, a pair of Doppler radars 4 and a pair of CMOS sensors 5 are attached to the tip of the telescopic rod 6, and these can also be completely hidden in the shadow of the parabolic catapult 1 to avoid a secondary collision with the debris 14.

[0016] The spacecraft 10 cooperates with the scout satellite 11 and lies in wait for the debris 14 along the predicted flight path based on the data transmitted from the space debris observation stations 16 around the world. The scout satellite 11 tracks the position, speed, shape, rotation, and orbit of the debris 14 in real time ahead of the spacecraft 10 and transmits the information to the spacecraft 10.

[0017] The artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI) installed on the spacecraft 10 uses the data from the scout satellite 11, the Doppler radar 4, and the CMOS sensor 5 to calculate the relative speed with the debris 14 and the angle of the parabolic catapult 1, and operates the rocket motor 7 and the manipulator 2 to adjust the relative speed with the debris 14 and the angle of the parabolic catapult 1, causing the debris 14 to collide with the parabolic catapult 1 and slide along the parabolic surface of the parabolic catapult 1, thereby changing the orbit of the debris 14, lowering its altitude, and causing it to re-enter the atmosphere and burn out.

[0018] By referring to data from currently orbiting artificial satellites and manned spacecraft as well, AI can safely re-enter debris 14 into the atmosphere without affecting other space equipment. Since the main subject of the present invention is the method of removing debris, the description of the AI program will be omitted.

[0019] Since the spacecraft 10, scout satellite 11, and rocket fuel storage tank 12 are separable, the spacecraft 10 and scout satellite 11 can be refueled from the rocket fuel storage tank 12 only when needed. Therefore, it becomes possible to operate multiple spacecraft 10 and scout satellites 11 with one rocket fuel storage tank, which has the effect of improving the efficiency of the mission.

[0020] The spacecraft 10 and scout satellite 11 need to frequently change their flight paths to achieve the mission, which requires a large amount of energy. The energy supply is carried out using the solar power generation panel 9. Furthermore, by using SpaceX's STARSHIP (hereinafter referred to as STARSHIP13), a huge storage can be used as a huge rocket fuel storage tank 12. STARSHIP13 can travel back and forth between the Earth and orbit when the rocket fuel storage tank 12 is empty and carry new fuel. This enables a sustainable energy supply over a long period, and the spacecraft 10 and scout satellite 11 can achieve sustainable mission execution through an efficient energy management system.

[0021] The spacecraft 10 and scout satellite 11 are equipped with an advanced communication system for transmitting and receiving data between the ground control centers 17, and can monitor the progress of the mission in real time and make adjustments as needed.

[0022] Consumables such as batteries and solar power generation panels 9 adopt an easily removable attachment method. When replacement is required, the spacecraft 10 and scout satellite 11 move to the storage 18 of STARSHIP13 by themselves and cooperate with other spacecraft 10 for repair.

[0023] According to reports from multiple research institutions, the amount of debris varies depending on the size of the object. Specifically, there are said to be approximately 20,000 to 30,000 objects over 10 cm, approximately 500,000 to 900,000 objects from 1 cm to 10 cm, and approximately 100 million to 200 million objects from 1 mm to 1 cm. Based on these data, when the total number T excluding debris less than 1 cm is set at 1 million, the average number of debris shot down by spaceship 10 per day a is 10, the number of operating units per day b is 10, and the number of operating days in a year c is 365 days, the activity period of spaceship 10 can be calculated as follows. "T÷abc = 27.3972603 years" This indicates the period required for spaceship 10 to shoot down debris. However, if the increase in debris continues, this period may be further extended. This result shows that long-term efforts are required for the task of shooting down debris.

[0024] When the average number of debris shot down by spaceship 10 per day a is 10, the number of operating units per day b is 10, the number of operating days in a year c is 365 days, the estimated activity period d is 27 years, and the unit price @ for shooting down one piece of debris is $10,000, the activity budget of spaceship 10 is calculated as follows. "@10,000×abcd = $9,855,000,000" That is, the total budget required for spaceship 10 to shoot down debris is estimated to be approximately $10 billion. However, if Space X cannot significantly reduce the current rocket launch cost as promised, the unit price @10,000 may increase by one digit.

[0025] Funds are raised from the United States, Russia, Europe, China, Japan, India, etc. according to the achievements of space development. For this purpose, it is necessary for international organizations such as the United Nations to take the lead, for relevant countries to hold consultations, and to create a framework that obtains international consensus. In doing so, various factors such as not only the achievements of each country's space development but also technological capabilities, economic strength, and space development policies should be considered. Through such efforts, the financing of this project can be achieved.

Industrial Applicability

[0026] If there are a number of highly maneuverable spacecraft 10, they can be used flexibly and serve as a shield to protect astronauts conducting extravehicular activities in space stations such as the ISS and in space from debris. In the future, when constructing a large-scale space station in orbit, working arms and construction tools can be attached to the attachments of the spacecraft 10, making it extremely useful as a construction work robot.

Explanation of Signs

[0027] 1. Parabolic catapult 11. Scout satellite 2. Manipulator 12. Rocket fuel storage tank 3. Damper 13. STARSHIP 4. Doppler radar 14. Space debris 5. CMOS sensor 15. Earth 6. Telescopic rod 16. Space debris observation station 7. Rocket motor 17. Ground control center 8. Hinge 18. Storage 9. Solar power generation panel 10. Spacecraft

Claims

【Claim 1】 In a means for changing the orbit of space debris by lying in wait along a predicted flight path based on all data of the target space debris in cooperation with a scout satellite and causing the debris to collide with a hard repulsion plate, this repulsion plate is equipped on the back of a spacecraft, and based on data from the scout satellite and sensors, adjusts the relative velocity with the debris and the angle of the repulsion plate, and by changing the orbit of the debris along the inclined slope of the repulsion plate and launching it, lowers the altitude while maintaining the kinetic energy of the debris, re-enters the atmosphere, and burns out, characterized by a space debris catapult.

Images