Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review
The growing population of space debris poses a critical risk to space operations, requiring urgent removal strategies. Numerous scientific investigations have focused on debris capture mechanisms in Earth’s orbits, including contact and contact-less capturing methods. However, the known debris popul...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Aerospace |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/4/277 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849712084171882496 |
|---|---|
| author | Mohammad Bigdeli Rajat Srivastava Michele Scaraggi |
| author_facet | Mohammad Bigdeli Rajat Srivastava Michele Scaraggi |
| author_sort | Mohammad Bigdeli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The growing population of space debris poses a critical risk to space operations, requiring urgent removal strategies. Numerous scientific investigations have focused on debris capture mechanisms in Earth’s orbits, including contact and contact-less capturing methods. However, the known debris population exhibits a multiscale distribution with broad statistics concerning size, shape, etc., making any general-purpose removal approach challenging. This review examines the mechanics of debris detection, capture, and mitigation, analyzing contact-based and contactless removal techniques. Special focus is given to net capturing methods and their mechanical limitations.We also aim to provide comprehensive discussion, beginning with an overview of current debris statistics followed by detection and removal methods, by analyzing key mechanical parameters relevant to removal. Therefore, we delve into the key parameters essential for the engineering of novel debris removal technologies. Finally, we discuss the preventive measures, regulative frameworks and future research directions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8f2011f7fa734c118f0f9abdabd33f0b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj-art-8f2011f7fa734c118f0f9abdabd33f0b2025-08-20T03:14:23ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-03-0112427710.3390/aerospace12040277Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A ReviewMohammad Bigdeli0Rajat Srivastava1Michele Scaraggi2Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, ItalyThe growing population of space debris poses a critical risk to space operations, requiring urgent removal strategies. Numerous scientific investigations have focused on debris capture mechanisms in Earth’s orbits, including contact and contact-less capturing methods. However, the known debris population exhibits a multiscale distribution with broad statistics concerning size, shape, etc., making any general-purpose removal approach challenging. This review examines the mechanics of debris detection, capture, and mitigation, analyzing contact-based and contactless removal techniques. Special focus is given to net capturing methods and their mechanical limitations.We also aim to provide comprehensive discussion, beginning with an overview of current debris statistics followed by detection and removal methods, by analyzing key mechanical parameters relevant to removal. Therefore, we delve into the key parameters essential for the engineering of novel debris removal technologies. Finally, we discuss the preventive measures, regulative frameworks and future research directions.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/4/277space debris mechanicsdebris statisticsdebris capture methodsEarth orbitsdebris detectionnet contact mechanics |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Bigdeli Rajat Srivastava Michele Scaraggi Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review Aerospace space debris mechanics debris statistics debris capture methods Earth orbits debris detection net contact mechanics |
| title | Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review |
| title_full | Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review |
| title_short | Mechanics of Space Debris Removal: A Review |
| title_sort | mechanics of space debris removal a review |
| topic | space debris mechanics debris statistics debris capture methods Earth orbits debris detection net contact mechanics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/4/277 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mohammadbigdeli mechanicsofspacedebrisremovalareview AT rajatsrivastava mechanicsofspacedebrisremovalareview AT michelescaraggi mechanicsofspacedebrisremovalareview |