Angular Momentum Reduction Using Mechanical Impulse for Uncontrollable Satellite Capturing

Abstract

A method for reducing the angular momentum of a non-cooperative, free-flying object in orbit by the application of repeated, well-timed impulses is studied. Using numerical simulations it has been shown that nutation or tumbling can be converted into simple spin or stopped altogether by this technique, which is robust against errors in the applied force. Owing to uncertainties in the projectile-target collision-force profile, ground experiments have been conducted using a passive model satellite placed on an air table. A mechanism for providing impulses to a target is described in this paper.