Geosynchronous Debris Conjunction Lead-Time Requirements for Autonomous Low-Thrust Disposal Guidance.

Autonomous, low-thrust guidance for active disposal of geosynchronous debris, subject to collision avoidance with the local debris population, is studied. A bisection method is employed to determine trajectory modifications to avoid a conjuncting debris object by a range of distances, assuming a range of collision lead times. A parametric study is performed, in which re-orbit thrust accelerations are varied from 10 to 10 m/s , to demonstrate how the continuous-thrust level impacts the required lead time to achieve a desired debris miss distance. The lowest thrust levels considered show that a 6-12 hour lead time is required to achieve a 1-10 km debris separation at the predicted collision time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]