SGER: A New Approach to Space Debris Elimination

摘要提案编号： 该项目的主要目标是通过计算机模拟研究清除小碎片的最有效方法，并为一个关于清除空间小碎片的大型项目奠定基础。PI将联合收割机结合普林斯顿大学现有的计算机算法，以模拟激光束与碎片的相互作用。1997年，美国空军制定了ORION项目，以评估通过从地面向单个碎片发射激光束消除空间小尺寸碎片（10厘米）的可能性。这种碎片对导航装置来说是“看不见的”，在与它们碰撞时可能对航天器造成灾难性的影响。据估计，所需的激光束能量在每脉冲20千焦的范围内，光束发散度极低（~ 1urad），以便激光束在距离地球~ 1000公里的碎片上提供足够的强度。该项目将研究如何利用在空间轨道运行的激光器，通过将小碎片“踢离”轨道，进入较低轨道，使碎片在大气层中燃烧，从而消除小碎片。它将包括研究比较效率， 低能量超短脉冲激光器和最近开发的用于消除碎片的高功率光纤激光器。PI还将研究与地面激光器相比，使用空间激光器的优势。

AbstractProposal Number: ECS-0741616Proposal Title: SGER: A New Approach to Space Debris ElininationPI Name: Suckewer, SzymonPI Institution: Princeton University ObjectiveThe main objective of this project is to investigate, by computer simulations, the most efficient way to remove small debris and to prepare the basis for a large project on small debris removal in space. Intellectual MeritThe PI will combine computer algorithms currently available at Princeton in order to model the laser beam-debris interaction. The research will concentrate on computer calculations of generation thrust on debris in space by ultra-short and very high intensity laser pulses and long pulses of powerful fiber laser.Broader ImpactsIn 1997 the Project ORION was established by Air Force to assess the possibility of eliminating small size debris ( 10 cm) from space, by shooting a laser beam from the ground at individual debris. Such debris, being "invisible" for navigation devices, may be catastrophic for space vehicles during collision with them. The required laser beam energy was estimated to be in the range of 20 kJ per pulse with extremely low beam divergence (~ 1urad) in order for laser beam to provide adequate intensity on debris at distance ~ 1000 km from the Earth. This project will investigate the use of lasers orbiting in space to eliminate small debris by "kicking them off" of their orbits into lower orbits for the debris to burn up in the atmosphere. It will include research on comparing the efficiency of low energy ultrashort pulse laser and recently developed high power fiber laser for debris elimination. The PI will also investigate the advantages of using lasers located in space in comparison with ground base lasers.