Thermal analysis of space debris for infrared-based active debris removal

Abstract

In space, visual-based relative navigation systems suffer from dynamic illumination conditions of the target (eclipse conditions, solar glare, etc.) where most of these issues are addressed by advanced mission planning techniques. However, such planning would not be always feasible or even if it is, it would not be straightforward for active debris removal missions. On the other hand, using an infrared-based system would overcome this problem, if a guideline to predict infrared signature of space debris based on the target thermal profile could be provided for algorithm design and testing. Spacecraft thermal design is unique to every platform. This means every active debris removal target will have a different infrared signature, which changes over time not just only due to orbital dynamics but also due to its thermal surface coatings. In order to provide a space debris infrared signature guideline for most of the possible active debris removal targets, we introduce an innovative grouping system for thermal surface coatings based on their behaviour in space environment. Through the use of this grouping system, we propose a space debris infrared signature estimation method, which was extensively verified by our simulations and experiments. During our verifications, we have also discovered very important problem so-called ‘signature ambiguity’ that is unique to infrared-based active debris removal systems, which we have also discussed in our work.