Prospects of de-tumbling large space debris using a two-satellite electromagnetic formation

Capturing large space debris with complex rotational motion is extremely challenging. A de-tumbling phase before capturing may be necessary to reduce the risk of collision with debris. This paper proposes a new noncontact de-tumbling method using a two-satellite electromagnetic formation, in which two small electromagnetic satellites, each having a high-temperature superconducting coil, generate control torques to reduce the rotation rate of debris prior to making any physical contact. The electromagnetic interaction of the target-satellite system is analyzed. A relative translational dynamics of the target–satellite system and the attitude dynamics of the target are established. Simulation results show that the proposed method effectively eliminates the rotational motion of the target. It can be safely concluded that the noncontact method for de-tumbling space debris using a two-satellite electromagnetic formation is feasible and potentially applicable to on-orbit capture.