Analysis of the orbital evolution of space debris using a solar sail and natural forces

TL;DR

This paper models the orbital evolution of GEO space debris considering natural forces and introduces a novel SRP model accounting for the Sun's elliptical orbit, demonstrating the potential of solar sails for space debris mitigation.

Contribution

Develops a new SRP model considering the Sun's elliptical orbit and identifies initial conditions that amplify eccentricity growth, aiding space debris removal strategies.

Findings

First-order SRP term dominates over second-order.

Certain initial conditions significantly increase eccentricity.

Solar sails can effectively assist in space debris cleanup.

Abstract

In this work, the orbital evolution of these objects that are located in the geostationary orbit (GEO) is analyzed. Knowing this, the possibility of using a solar sail is considered to help to clean the space environment. The main natural environmental perturbations that act in the orbit of the debris are considered in the dynamics. Such forces acting in the solar sail can force the growth of the eccentricity of these objects in the GEO orbit. Several authors have presented models of the solar radiation pressure considering the single-averaged model. But, doing a literature research, we found that the authors consider the Earth around the Sun in a circular and inclined orbit. Our contribution to the SRP model is in developing a different approach from other authors, where we consider the Sun in an elliptical and inclined orbit, which is valid for other bodies in the solar system when the eccentricity cannot be neglected. The expression of the SRP is developed up to the second order. We found that the first-order term is much superior to the second-order term, so the quadrupole term can be neglected. Another contribution is the approach to identify the initial conditions of the perigee argument (g) and the longitude of the ascending node (h), where some values of the (g, h) plane contribute to amplify the eccentricity growth. In the numerical simulations we consider real data from space debris removed from the site Stuff in Space. The solar sail helps to clean up the space environment using a propulsion system that uses the Sun itself, a clean and abundant energy source, unlike chemical propellants, to contribute to the sustainability of space exploration.