A study of a target identification method for an active debris removal system

Abstract

In a preparatory study conducted prior to the development of an active space debris removal system, a method for selecting target debris based on information such as the cumulative collision probability, the operational condition of objects, and their sizes and launch dates was developed for use in the protection of four Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite constellation satellites. This method can be used to select candidate removal targets. Two-line element data are used to identify threatening objects with high cumulative collision probability. Using information in the Satellite Catalog database, objects smaller than a certain size or objects that are currently operational were excluded from the selection range. The results of an analysis of the cumulative collision probability, object size, object type, and primary mission information showed that the COSMOS 1328, COSMOS 1862, COSMOS 375, and COSMOS 1606 satellites were suitable targets for an active debris removal mission.