Dynamics Simulation of Net Behavior for Space Debris Capture

Abstract

This paper presents the dynamics modeling and simulation of flexible net behavior for space debris capture. Space debris, such as satellites that have been taken out of service due to malfunction or fuel shortage, often lose their communication and attitude control function. For secure capture mission, it is necessary to clarify the net behavior by simulation. However, studies on the simulation of debris capture by the net have addressed only the behavior during net deployment or a part of the contact with the target, and there are no studies on the net behavior until capture is completed. Therefor, in this study, we model and analyze the net behavior during space debris capture. By introducing contact between nets into the dynamics model used in the simulation, the problem of nets slipping through each other was solved, and thereby the behavior of nets entangling to capture the target was simulated.