Simulation of a Guided Active Debris Removal Interception

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-1298.vid A simulation environment for an active debris removal operation is presented. The simulated vehicle consists of a flexible net controlled by four maneuvering satellite units (MUs), one at each corner of a square net and a drag device used to deorbit the debris once it is captured. The MUs, drag device, and net are housed in a larger satellite called the storage unit (SU). The MUs, net, and SU all together form a guided net intercept vehicle (GNIV). The created environment simulates a GNIV approaching the debris object, deploying a net, contacting the debris, and finally securing the debris in the net using a drawstring type closing mechanism. The forces modeled include forces due to net tension, contact, friction, gravity, and MU control systems. The environment is used to simulate a notional debris capture mission and inform future designs and trade studies.