Low-thrust Missions for Expanding Foam Space Debris Removal

Active space debris removal missions are a necessary way to control and reduce debris growth, in order to permit future sustainable space activities. The method here proposed can be classified as a momentum exchange method, and in particular it can be thought as a drag augmentation system. The core idea is to develop a system able to apply an expanded foam ball around a target debris enlarging its area-to-mass ratio to increase the natural atmospheric drag and thus significantly decelerating and deorbiting the debris. The drag augmentation system here proposed does not require any docking system; an uncontrolled re-entry takes place ending with a burn up of the object and the foam in the atmosphere within a given time frame. The method requires an efficient way to change orbits between two debris. The present paper analyses such a system in combination with an Electric Propulsion system. Mission time, propellant and foam mass requirements are assessed and a preliminary platform sizing is presented.