Currently, there are more than 1800 rocket bodies floating as debris in Low Earth Orbit.
This debris is a serious threat to existing satellites and even to future space missions.
Any impact of the debris with another object creates more debris, that may set off cascading collisions via a phenomena called Kessler Effect.
So it’s no surprise that NASA has patented a solution to tackle this problem.
The patented invention uses a spacecraft capable of automatically capturing a space debris and safely perform deorbiting.
Initially, a spacecraft is released into an orbit near the target debris.
The spacecraft tracks the target debris to generate a motion profile of the target debris.
The spacecraft also profiles surface characteristics of the target debris to identify a capture-part for docking.
Once the motion profile and the capture-part have been identified, the spacecraft begins a capture process, where the spacecraft manoeuvres itself to reach near the target debris.
After the spacecraft has synchronized its position, speed and rotation with the target debris, a hard docking is performed.
The spacecraft may then safely carry the space debris and release it into the atmosphere where it falls to earth.
You may watch this video to see how this technology works
Patent Information
Publication number: US 20160023783
Patent Title: SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL
Publication type: Grant
Publication date: 28 Jan 2016
Filing date: 2 Sep 2015
Inventors: Anthony D. Griffith, SR.; Rajiv Kohli;
Original Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation