The ion beam interceptor concept for a space station collision avoidance with space debris.

Space debris poses a great threat to space stations. When a collision hazard is detected, the space station's orbit should be adjusted. An alternative approach is to apply collision avoidance measures that consist in creating an external impact on the space debris object to change its orbit and increase the miss distance slightly. Such an impact can be carried out using a ground-based or orbital laser, through the use of nano-tugs thrusters, or by placing a cloud of particles in the path of the object. This study proposes to use the plume of a thruster of an active spacecraft called an Ion Beam Interceptor. When a potential collision is detected, the interceptor undocks from the space station, approaches the space debris object and directs an ion beam, which is generated by the spacecraft's thrusters, at it. Hitting into the surface of the object, the particles of the ion beam exert a force effect on it, which leads to the required change in the orbit. After the completion of the maneuver, the interceptor returns to the space station for refueling and servicing. The objective of the study is a preliminary assessment of the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach of protecting a space station from space debris impact using an active spacecraft. A mission profile of the space station protection is proposed. A series of numerical simulations are performed to determine mission parameters and fuel costs. Based on an analysis of the orbits of space objects located near the space station, the maximum angle between the orbital planes of the dangerous object and the station are determined at which it is advisable to use the Ion Beam Interceptor. The developed concept also allows to implement just-in-time collision avoidance measures for space debris objects whose orbital planes are close to the plane of the space station. • The concept of the Ion Beam Interceptor spacecraft designed to protect the space station from a predicted collision is developed. • A series of calculations were carried out to analyze the possibility of protecting the international space station from potentially dangerous objects. • The developed mission can be effectively used to protect the International Space Station from objects whose orbit is deviated from the station's orbit by no more than 0.23 rad. • The concept makes it possible to implement just-in-time collision avoidance measures for space debris objects in the above range of orbits in LEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]