Active debris removal mission from LEO with electric and hybrid propulsion

Abstract

Debris proliferation in space environment is an impending problem for preserving future missions. Although prevention measures (IADC guidelines, NASA Handbook for Limiting Orbit Debris) with the intent to regulate and limit the space trac are adopted, the necessity to reduce the increasing quantity of space debris leads to the will to conceive and test the effectiveness of active debris removal missions (ADR). ADR missions are devised for controlling the number of large objects, such as launch vehicle orbital stages or derelict spacecraft which no longer serve a useful purpose [1], orbiting in densely populated and commercially interesting areas (Sun-Synchronous Orbit, SSO).