Deployable Angled Shield for Spacecraft Debris Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spacecraft in low Earth orbit face a significant risk of failure due to interactions with orbital debris, with existing shielding solutions being bulky, heavy, and costly, and lacking effective protection against smaller debris particles, while also posing challenges in de-orbiting and debris removal.
Innovation Solution
A deployable multi-functional debris shielding apparatus that includes a shield unit with a shielding surface that can be angled and moved between stowed and deployed positions, providing increased ballistic protection and acting as a de-orbiting device by increasing the spacecraft's surface area, which also functions as a debris sweeper to remove small debris from the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shielding structures are used to protect spacecraft from debris, then ballistic protection is improved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shield unit is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of transitioning between stowed and deployed positions. This dynamic configuration allows the shield to provide protection when needed while minimizing weight and space constraints during other phases of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield unit serves multiple functions: it provides ballistic protection when deployed, acts as a de-orbiting device by increasing atmospheric drag, and functions as a debris sweeper. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby reducing overall weight and complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional shielding structures are used to protect spacecraft from debris, then ballistic protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system is divided into multiple independent shield units that can be individually deployed or stowed. Each shield unit is a self-contained module with its own driving apparatus, allowing for simplified individual components rather than one complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield unit incorporates a driving apparatus that enables automated or controlled movement between stowed and deployed positions, reducing the need for complex manual deployment mechanisms and simplifying the overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If shield unit is deployed to provide ballistic protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but spacecraft surface area available for other functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shield unit transitions between stowed and deployed positions dynamically. When stowed, it minimizes its footprint and does not interfere with other spacecraft functions. When deployed, it provides the necessary ballistic protection. This dynamic positioning resolves the conflict between protection effectiveness and available surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield unit is positioned at an angle to the spacecraft body when deployed, rather than being flat against the surface. This angular positioning allows the shield to provide effective ballistic protection while occupying less of the spacecraft's surface area, as it extends outward in a different spatial dimension.
4Reliability
If shield unit is positioned at an angle to spacecraft body, then ballistic protection is improved, but attachment and positioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving apparatus is designed to automatically position the shield unit at the optimal angle relative to the spacecraft body. This automated positioning mechanism simplifies the attachment design compared to manually adjustable systems, as the driving apparatus inherently manages the angular positioning through motorized or spring-loaded mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves an order of magnitude improvement in ballistic protection without the weight overhead of traditional manned spacecraft shields, enables efficient de-orbiting, and contributes to debris removal, thus reducing the risk of collisions and extending the lifespan of spacecraft in orbit.
Implementation Method 1
a shield unit (210a-d) including a shielding surface for impeding incident debris
Implementation Method 2
acting as a de-orbiting device by increasing the spacecraft's surface area
Implementation Method 3
the plane of the shielding surface of the shield unit is at an angle to the spacecraft body in the second deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the protection of spacecraft from debris and to de-orbiting devices of the atmospheric drag type, and to debris sweeping apparatus for the removal of debris from the space environment. The debris shielding apparatus for a spacecraft has a shield unit including a shielding surface for impeding incident debris. The shield unit is attached to the spacecraft body and has a drive mechanism for positioning the shield unit in relation to the spacecraft body. The drive mechanism is capable of moving the shield unit between a stowed first position and a deployed second position. In the deployed second position the plane of the shielding surface is at an angle to the spacecraft body.