This document discusses space debris removal systems. It begins by introducing the problem of space debris and its sources. It then describes the different types of orbits where debris accumulate, including low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and highly elliptical orbit. The document discusses methods for tracking and measuring debris, as well as different approaches for debris removal, such as electrodynamic tethers, laser brooms, solar sails, space nets, and collector satellites. It concludes by stating the importance of debris removal for continued space development and exploration.

1. VEMANA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
GPS BASED SPACE DEBRIS
REMOVAL SYSTEM
BY:SUNIL D S
USN NO:1VI11EC078
GUIDED BY: Mrs. KUSUMA G S

2. 1) Introduction
2)Types of orbits
3) Sources of debris
4) Tracking and Measurement of debris
5) Clearance of space debris
6) Conclusion
7) References
CONTENTS
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3. .
INTRODUCTION
Space debris , also known as orbital debris , space junk and
space waste , is the collection of defunct objects in orbit around
Earth.
This includes everything from spent rocket stages , old satellites,
fragments from disintegration , erosion and collision.
They can include anything from entire used rocket stages and
defunctioning satellites to explosion fragments, paint flakes, dust,
slag from solid rocket motors, coolant released by RORSAT also
known in the west as Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellite,
nuclear powered satellites, deliberate insertion of small needles,
and other small particles from equipment.
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4. Debris poses a growing threat to satellites and could prevent the
use of valuable orbits in the future.
 The following table shows the estimated amount of debris
objects by their size:
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5. Dept Of ECE,VIT 5
Tracked orbital debris population catalogued by U.S. Air Force as of 2010.

6. 1. Low Earth Orbit
2. Medium Earth Orbit
3. Geostationary Orbit
4. High Earth Orbit
TYPES OF ORBITS
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7.  LEO is still very close to the Earth, especially when compared
to other forms of satellite orbit including geostationary orbit.
Low Earth Orbit
 Low Earth Orbit extending from 200 km to 1200 km it means
that it is relatively low in altitude.
 Orbit times are much less than for many other forms of orbit.
The lower altitude means higher velocities are required to
balance the earth's gravitational field.
 Less energy is expended placing the satellites in LEO than
higher orbits.
 Communications satellites , Earth monitoring satellites use LEO
as they are able to see the surface of the Earth more clearly as
they are not so far away. They are also able to traverse the
surface of the Earth.
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8.  The International Space Station is in an LEO that varies
between 320 km (199 miles) and 400 km (249 miles) above the
Earth's surface.
Currently , NASA tracks more than 15,000 objects larger than
10 cm in LEO.
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9. Situated from 2000 km to 36,000
km above Earth’s surface.
The most common use for satellites
in this region is for navigation , Gps
communication and space
environment science.
Has an orbital period of 12 hours .
Medium Earth Orbit
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10. Geostationary Earth Orbit
 These are at a height of 35790 km,
it takes 24 hours for the satellite to
orbit.
 Geostationary satellites have
modernized and transformed
worldwide communications,
television broadcasting, and
meteorological and weather
forecasting. They also have a
number of significant defense and
intelligence applications.
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11. Highly Elliptical Orbit
 These satellites do not follow a circular orbit, but its orbit is elliptical.
 Its orbital period is of 8 to 24 hours.
 The perigee about 500 km and apogee of 50000 km.
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Fig. HEO

12. Tracking of debris
Radar and optical detectors such as LIDAR are the main tools used
for tracking space debris.
 Radio waves have been recently used. These waves are transmitted
into space and they bounce off of space junk back to the origin that
will detect and track the object.
 Ground based radar facilities and space telescopes are also used to
track the debris.
 Returned hardware of space debris is a valuable source of
information of the environment.
Some of the modules used were :
LDEF (Long duration exposure facility ) satellite
EURECA ( European Retrievable carrier )
STS-61 Endeavour
STS-109 Columbia
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13. “CLEARANCE OF SPACE DEBRIS”
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14. Different Types
Electro dynamic tethers
 Laser brooms
 Solar sails
 Space nets and collectors
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15. Electro-dynamic tethers
An electro-dynamic tether
provides a simple and reliable
alternative to the conventional
rocket thrusters .
 It works on the basic principle of
Lorentz force and Fleming’s Left
hand rule .
 Magnetic force is exerted on a
current carrying wire in a direction
perpendicular to both the flow of
current and the magnetic field .
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16. Laser brooms
 The laser broom uses a powerful ground based laser to ablate the
front surface off of debris and thereby produce a rocket like thrust
that slows the object.
With continued application the debris will eventually decrease their
altitude enough to become subject to atmospheric drag.
 Additionally , the momentum of photons in the laser beam could
be used to impart thrust on the debris directly.
 Mainly the laser based techniques are two types:
1. Ground based laser technique
2. Space based laser technique
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17. Ground based laser
Space based laser
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18. Solar sails
 The Solar sails uses the pressure
from sunlight to navigate an
object, just like a naval sail uses
wind.
 This way debris can be
navigated out of orbit and burn
into the atmosphere.
 The only problem with the solar
sail is that its very hard to
navigate the junk into the ocean
and hence might be pretty
dangerous.
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19. Space nets
Space nets or umbrellas are
satellites which eject a huge net
that ‘fishes’ or collects the debris
and is later disposed off into a
graveyard orbit .
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20. Collector satellites
 The most commonly used
collector satellite is the Sling
Sat.
 It has two extended arms which
collect the debris as it is in
motion.
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21. CONCLUSION
Satellite communication would develop faster as there will be no
hindrance to it. Every point in the earth, even the poles could be
linked via satellites. Communication will be faster, better and
cheaper. Exploring the outer space would be easier and inter
planetary communication will flourish.
 Even though this problem might look unimportant and is being
neglected by people, it is of great concern for the developments in
space and technology. A part of the International Space Station
should be allocated for space debris removal and control called as
Debris removal station. This monitors the motion, size, and mass
of the debris and removes them using an appropriate method
suitable for that particular debris.
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22. REFERENCES
[1] International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-1, Issue-10 November 2014
ISSN 2348-6848 Space Debris Elimination Techniques.
[2] Robert Osiander and Paul Ostdiek, Handbook of Space Engineering,
Archaeology.
[3] Marco M. Castronuovo, Active space debris removal-A preliminary
mission
analysis and design, Acta Astronautica 69 (2011) 848-859.
[4] Carmen Pardini, Toshiya Hanada and Paula H Krisko, Benefits and risks
of using electrodynamic tethers to de-orbit spacecrafts, Acta Astronautica
64 (2009) 571-588.
[5] Robert P Hoyt and Robert L Forward, The Terminator Tether:
Autonomous deorbit of LEO spacecraft for space debris mitigation, AIAA-
00—0329.
[6] Holger Burkhardt, Martin Sippel, et, Evaluation of propulsion systems
for satellite end-of-life deorbiting, Germany, AIAA-2002—4208.
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