Parameter Analysis and Experiment Validation of Deployment Characteristics of a Rectangular Tether-Net

Abstract

Tether-nets in space applications are flexible capture systems for removing space debris. A new, low-mass, rectangular tether-net deployed by ten towing blocks is proposed in this paper for the purpose of capturing the main body of satellites. The dynamic model of a rectangular tether-net during the deployment process was established. The accuracy of the simulation model was validated by comparing it with on-ground experiments. In addition, the influence of towing block mass and launch speed on the maximum deployment area and the deployment lengths of the long side and short side of the rectangular tether-net were systematically analyzed. The results show that the tether-net configuration and launch distance of the simulations were consistent with those of the experiments, demonstrating the good accuracy of the simulation model. Moreover, with the increase in towing block mass, the maximum deployment area and deployment lengths of both sides of the rectangular tether-net showed a gradually increasing tendence, while the recoil impulse and structural weight increased. When the launch speed of the towing blocks increased, the maximum deployment area and deployment lengths increased significantly and further caused the extension of the shape-preserving distance.