Autonomy for Active Space Debris Removal: Research Issues and Approaches

Abstract

Even though the infinite vastness of the universe is an accepted theory, apparently infinity ends when it comes to orbits surrounding the Earth. This was a hard lesson to learn when Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 collided in the low Earth orbit in February 2009. Not at least due to this event, the threat of uncontrolled objects in space is subject to a series of activities for the stabilization of the space environment. Besides improved collision propagation and mitigation measurements currently adopted by major space agencies, the active removal of space debris (ADR) needs to be addressed and further developed within the next few years. Based on an introduced reference scenario, this paper introduces autonomy in space for such missions. Existing problems are addressed and possible approaches concerning autonomous remediation of space debris are presented.