Method for forecasting performance characteristics of space trawler
The paper considers the issue of cleaning low-Earth orbits from space debris and proposes one of possible solutions by using a special spacecraft -space trawler, containing a propulsion system and a system of collecting and removing small space debris in the form of a spherical debris-catching device. The principle objective of the research is development of the method for forecasting spacecraft performance characteristics, based on ensuring high target efficiency of the proposed cleaning method. The trawler operation efficiency is supposed to estimate by the collecting surface area of the debris-catching device, crossing the specified layer of the near-Earth space. The proposed method allows defining the basic properties of a space trawler for all possible investigated maneuvers of the spacecraft at the cleaning stage, from its primary delivery on the initial orbit, various ways of trawler and debriscatching device launch, as well as various types of rocket carriers and propulsion systems. This method can be used in forecasting the space trawler performance properties, corresponding to its optimal launch and maneuvering mode, thus providing a choice of efficient alternative of spacecraft for collecting small debris, the use of which for cleaning low-Earth orbits will increase safety of space flights