International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 11, November 2013)

Space Debris Removal System

Karishma s. Inamdar1, Hari Shankar R L2, Ishani Salari3
1

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication engineering, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Dist: Raigad, Maharashtra, India. 2 Department of Aeronautical engineering, Indian institute of aeronautical, engineering and technology, Pune, India 3 Department of Electronics and Telecommunication engineering, Bahara University, Himachal Pradesh, India Space debris is basically all space objects non-functional and human made, that include fragmentation debris (42%)break ups of satellite, unused fuel, dead batteries, rocket bodies (17%), mission-related debris (19%), non-functional spacecrafts (22%) Only 6% of their catalogued orbital population represents operational satellites, while 38% can be attributed to decommissioned satellites, spent upper stages and mission-related objects (launch adaptors, lens covers, etc.). The remaining 56% originates from more than 200 in-orbit fragmentations which have been recorded since 1961. II. INTRODUCTION O F OUR P ROPOSAL In our project we are going to use junk box which has design as shown in figure. It consists of new snake robotic arm technology. On the skin of robot there is sensors are connected to detect the debris and onboard camera is also used to avoid the collision with working models. There are two robots used, one is having electromagnetic plate to capture metallic junk and another is having electronic gun to capture non metallic debris. Electronic gun deposited ve charges on non metallic junk and pull it by +ve charge plate. After capturing it , it will collect the junks in the junk box and repeat the same procedure when junk box is completely full then it will empty at ISS capsule and by there it will return back to earth by using returning rocket system. III. ROCKET AND P AYLOAD IN O RBIT Rocket has 3 stages, and each stage is to be dropped as its propellant is consumed. The first stage uses a single powerful engine, and 2 SRBs Solid rocket boosters (SRB) help the launcher to lift heavier payload At stage one ,both the main engine and SRB are ignited at lift off The SRB are jettisoned about 2 minutes into the flight when their fuel is spent About 8 minutes into the flight the first stage has consumed all its fuel. The first stage is jettisoned and the second stage engine ignites

Abstract-Space debris is a very critical problem that cannot be solved in it, even in the near future. Unfortunately, most of the proposed methods for space debris removal are not successfully functional. Keeping in view the shortcoming of the existing methods for debris removal an active approach is needed in this regard required to be implemented purposefully. We are proposing combining mostly available technologies in a new way for scavenging the space yard. The basic idea is the rather unfashionable non hi-fi arrangement of street sweepers going around with brush and broom, sweep the street, pick up garbage and waste put these in a wheel barrow and take it to the nearest municipal garbage truck for final transport and disposal. This is certainly an old fashioned and somewhat laborious approach, but often such laborious methods succeed. We are proposing some new applications of mostly available technology in design of the "broom" and "brush" and the concept of the "wheelbarrow"- to be use in a new environment. In this paper we are proposing an idea to remove space junks in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using electromagnetic plates and Electron-gun technique .Our target is to capture the small junk which involves materials of size between the ranges 0.4 1inches. Keywords- hi-fi, junkbox, LEO (low earth orbit), Space debris

I. INRODUCTION T O SUBJECT As mankind continues to launch more and more satellites, orbital debris is becoming an increasingly larger problem for spacecraft operators. Space debris is not a new problem for scientists, but rather one, like climate change, that has recently come to light due to the increase in the rate at which the change is occurring. Humanity has left a significant mark on the space beyond Earth. In more than half a century of space activities, more than 4800 launches have placed some 6000 satellites into orbit, of which less than a thousand are still operational today. More than 12,000 orbiting items in total are regularly tracked by the US Space Surveillance Network and maintained in their catalogue, which covers objects larger than approximately 5 to 10cm in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 30cm to 1m at geostationary altitudes (GEO).

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Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 11, November 2013) The payload is protected by an aerodynamic fairing inside the atmosphere. This is not needed when the rocket is in space so it is jettisoned About 25 minutes into the flight the second stage has consumed all its fuel and is jettisoned The third stage is ignited and burns until the correct velocity has been achieved. At this time it is shut down The payload now has enough speed to coast to 500km altitude, the highest point of the flight. And this collected junk is bring back to earth by using space x dragon capsule which is design to transfer the cargos and payloads to ISS. We are going to use snake arm robots because it provides a simple, light, slender snake arm with constant diameter minimization snagging risk. Inherent redundancy within the design underpins safe and reliable operation. As snake arm robot is a tool for our time, financial and environmental considerations are key drivers in the maintenance and life extension assets.A robot as agile as a snake can explore almost any hidden nook and cranny. Just like in a science fiction film, the robotic snake-arm wriggles through a small hole. V. SNAKE -ARM ROBOT The snake arm is based on the nose principle The nose principle The best way to reach inside the confined space is to penetrate inside, with the body of the device following where the tip has gone resembling like the motion of the snake. We will achieve this by coordinated motion of the arm. When the tip reaches an open space, it can be moved in any of the required direction. VI. P ARTS O F SNAKE ARM Actuator Pack : The shape and stiffness of a particular snake-arm is controlled by wire ropes that transfer mechanical power from the actuator pack into the snake-arm. This arrangement helps in keeping the motors and power electronics accessible from outside the confined or hazardous space.

Fig1.Lateral view of the payload

IV. K ALPANA J UNK B OX The payload section of our launch vehicle will carry 5 junk boxes which are employed for the sake of removing debris in space. Each junk box consists of two robotic arms (magnetic plate system, electron gun system), solar panels, antennas, thrusters, camera etc. The basic idea to capture the debris is to use snake robotic arm which is connected to the junk box. The skin of snake arm contains micro sensors which will detect the presence of debris. After detecting the debris the snake arm will get activated and move towards the debris as it is agile in operation. We are going to use two snake arms. The two magnetic plates are attached to one of the snake arm for the purpose of attracting the metallic debris near LEO. After attracting sufficient debris it bring back to junk box n collect debris there. For the case of non metallic debris, we are going to use electron gun to deposit charge on non metallic debris and attract to them by positive charge plate. When junk box is completely full then we empty junk at ISS junk capsule. After emptying there by refueling it we again send to catch the debris.

Fig2.actuator pack

Snake-Arm : A snake-arm is made up of articulating links. Both the number and length of the links can be varied giving a wide choice of final performance. Different snake-arms can be interchanged on the same actuator pack. All snake-arms are hollow and are designed to have minimum mass for maximum reach, whilst not compromising rigidity and stiffness.

Fig3.snake arm

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Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 11, November 2013) Tool : Fixed or interchangeable tools and sensors are located at the tip of the snake-arm, although sensors may be distributed along its length. Services are routed through the hollow central bore. VII. HOW AN E LECTRON EMITTER OR ELECTRON GUN W ORKS? In an electron gun, the metal plate is heated by a small filament wire connected to a low voltage. Some electrons are free to move in the metal they are not bound to ions in the lattice. As the lattice is heated, the electrons gain kinetic energy. Some of them gain enough kinetic energy to escape from the metal surface. We sometimes say that they are boiled off the surface or evaporate from it. Although they do not form a gas in the strictest sense, these are good descriptions. If the hot metal plate is in a vacuum, then the evaporated electrons are free to move. The electrons can be pulled away from the hot surface of the plate by putting a positive electrode (anode) nearby. The anode is created by connecting an electrode to the positive terminal of a power supply, and the hot plate is connected to its negative terminal. The hot plate is then the cathode. * As soon as the electrons evaporate from the surface of the hot plate, they are pulled towards the anode. They accelerate and crash into the anode. However, if there is a small hole in the anode, some electrons will pass through, forming a beam of electrons that came from the cathode or a cathode ray. This cathode ray can be focused and deflected and can carry small currents.

Fig4.tools on snake arm

Software Control: Soft snake is a simulation environment based on our hardware GUI that allows control of different snake arms within virtual modes. So by using software this arm becomes completely autonomous. Brushless Maxon Dc Motors For Flexible Movements In a human arm, the tendons connect the muscles to the bones of the joints. Similarly, in the snake-arm robot, stainless-steel wires are connected to the individual joints of the robot like tendons. Each individual wire inside the snake-arm is connected to a maxon motor. The snake-like wriggling movements are the result of the motors transmitting the mechanical power to the snake arm, where the individual joints of the arm are located. Depending on the version, up to 50 maxon motors are installed in each snake-arm. These are not located directly in the arm, but instead in an actuator pack in the base of the robot. This is advantageous as the electronics are more easily accessible and not exposed to the confined and hazardous environments. Another area of use for the motors is the different tools for the snake-arm's head. Here, one or two maxon motors are responsible for the movements of (for example) the gripper jaws or swage tool. The biggest challenge to the drives is that they have to provide a high enough power output inside a compact design. Therefore, the brushless maxon EC-max 30 DC motor (60 W) and the ceramic version of the GP32 planetary gear head are used for this highly complex application. Thanks to the brushless design, the electronically commutated DC motors are excellently prepared for long operating times. The heart of the maxon motors is the ironless winding with the benefits inherent to the physical design, such as zero cogging torque, high efficiency and excellent control dynamics.

Fig5.how gun works

At one end of the tube there is a little rocket shaped 'gun'. In that gun a starting plate is heated by a tiny electric grill. The plate has a special surface that lets electrons loose rather easily. Electrons come off that plate. They are speeded up in the gun by a large potential difference between that starting plate (negative cathode) and the gun muzzle (positive anode). VIII. HOW W E ARE GOING T O IMPLEMENT T HIS METHOD T O C APTURE SPACE DEBRIS? Taking the basics of physics, we have developed our method to capture the junks in space. This method using electron gun basically focuses on capturing of nonmagnetic space debris like; Rocks, Paint flakes, nonmagnetic metals and etc. in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

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Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 11, November 2013) IX. E LECTROMAGNETIC P LATE In this system we are going to use electromagnetic plate. Which works on the principle of electromagnetism. When the electromagnet is energized, a current passing through the electromagnet creates a magnetic flux that causes the armature plate to attract to the metallic space junk. In this the magnets of 600 lbs. and 1200 lbs used which has dynamic holding force capacities. Adding a magnetic bond sensor to the lock and by using a power supply that includes a battery backup capability. X. CONCLUSION As space debris is current upmost problem, here we proposed the method to capture the debris which is very efficient method cause it uses fundamental of physics i.e. electric and magnetic forces which are present everywhere in the universe. This is very cost effective method also we are going to use available technology for sending the junk box and returning it to earth. After doing more work on this project we can employ it practically. Acknoledgement We take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude and deep regard to our guide Mrs.Leena Bokil, Prof. TharthaSarthi Roy and Mr.hanumant bobade for their valuable guidance, monitoring and constant encouragement throughout the course of this project report accomplishment. REFERENCES
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Fig.7.Robotic arm [6] [7] [8] http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-0805/science/27257957_1_space-debris-space-agencies-orbit History of Analytical Orbit Modeling in the U. S. Space Surveillance System http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11055-india-to-trackpotentially-dangerous-space-debris.html#.UgyFy1w-Vkk http://www.researchgate.net/publication/223028718_Space_debris_ mitigation_measures_in_India http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/how-india-narrowly-missedcollision-with-space-junk-144267 http://www.asianscientist.com/in-the-lab/space-debris-nanobotsdecayable-materials-lasers-2012/ www.iadc-online.org www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Space_Debris/index.html

Fig6.Attachment of Electron gun and its simple functional parts

Bombardment of Ve particles i.e. Electron beam from Electron Gun will make our target Ve charged. So we will have our non-magnetic Space debris Ve charged. A Plate attached to anode or Metal or any source making it +Ve charged will attract Space debris (-Ve Charged). Hence with the Principle Opposite charge attracts other we are going to capture those Junks.

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