Joseph Hughes, University of Colorado, Hanspeter Schaub, University of Colorado
Keywords: perturbations, electrostatic, magnetostatic, debris, attitude
Abstract:
Space objects experience small perturbation torques and forces from their interaction with the local space environment. In the Geosynchronous orbit regime, objects have been shown to charge to 10s of kiloVolts in Earth’s shadow, but also to kiloVolt levels in sun-lit conditions if the object’s surface is not continuously conducting. This charging results in electrostatic torques and forces being produced due to the interactions with the local electric and magnetic fields. This paper investigates faster-than-real time numerical methods such as Appropriate Fidelity Measures and the Multi-Sphere Method to approximate these forces and torques on uncontrolled High Area-to-Mass Ratio (HAMR) space debris. Numerical simulations show how these electrostatic forces and torques couple to stronger perturbations such as Solar Radiation Pressure to create position differences of hundreds of kilometers over periods of 12 hours, and thousands of kilometers over 48 hours for certain highly charged HAMR objects.
Date of Conference: September 20-23, 2016
Track: Poster