Description
The escalating accumulation of space debris poses a significant challenge to future space
missions. Electrodynamic Tethering (EDT) emerges as a promising solution [1], notably for
its propellant-free operation, aligning with green technology principles.
The E.T.PACK-F project [2], funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC), focuses
on advancing EDT technologies. Central to this effort is the development of a Flight Model
(FM) CubeSat, consisting of two modules connected by an aluminum tether, aimed at
demonstrating effective space debris deorbiting.
My research activities have included some of the research in which the University is
involved. Specifically, I am presently engaged in optimizing the deployment profile of the
tether and refining a critical component: the In-Line Damper (ILD), designed to mitigate
tether oscillation during deorbiting phase.
Regarding the last point, I have recently established an experimental setup to analyze
the ILD’s response to external forces. Leveraging the SPARTANS facility at the University
of Padova [3], we can simulate satellite in-orbit maneuvers, utilizing a floating platform.
Precise tracking of the platform’s position and orientation is achieved through a motion
capture system comprising six ceiling-mounted cameras within the facility.
Additionally, my research activity extends to satellite proximity navigation, critical for
some approaching and capturing debris technique that is used for deorbiting [4]. As a first
step in this topic, our research group is collaborating with OHB Italia to test a standard
docking interface under development using the SPARTANS facility. This activity is part of
ESA’s In-Space Transportation Proof of Concept-1 (POC1) mission.
Presently, my focus lies on the motion capture system that is used to study the dynamics
of a passive docking mechanism installed on the floating platform. Particularly, for this setup
we need to study the mechanism under different initial conditions. For this purpose, we have
developed a release mechanism that can change the platform’s initial position, orientation,
as well as linear and angular velocities. Finally, we have been able to reconstruct these
parameters thanks to the motion capture system
References
[1] Satomi Kawamoto, Yasushi Ohkawa, Shoji Kitamura, and Shin-Ichiro Nishida. Strategy
for active debris removal using electrodynamic tether. Transactions of the Japan Society
for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Space Technology Japan, 7(ists26):Pr 2 7–Pr 2 12,
2009.
[2] website, 2022. http://www.etpack.eu.
[3] Andrea Valmorbida, Mattia Mazzucato, Sergio Tronco, Stefano Debei, and Enrico C
Lorenzini. Spartans-a cooperating spacecraft testbed for autonomous proximity
operations experiments. In 2015 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement
Technology Conference (I2MTC) Proceedings, pages 739–744. IEEE, 2015.
[4] Shin-Ichiro Nishida and Satomi Kawamoto. Strategy for capturing of a tumbling space
debris. Acta Astronautica, 68(1-2):113–120, 2011.
