Julia Tepper
Advisor: Professor Koki Ho

will defend a master’s thesis entitled,

Optimization and Modeling of Multimodal Active Debris Removal Using a Time-Expanded Network

On

Thursday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m.
ESM 202

TEAMS: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZGUwZjUxYzctMDIxZC00NmQwLTk5ZGYtMDU0NjJkNmQzMWE5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22482198bb-ae7b-4b25-8b7a-6d7f32faa083%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f6ce9931-5f18-45ae-be53-0b81782484e3%22%7d

Abstract
This paper develops a framework to optimize the concept of operations of an active debris removal (ADR) mission utilizing a time-expanded network. Given the challenging and costly nature of active debris removal, it is desirable to minimize the cost of the mission while maximizing the number of debris collected to determine the most effective and efficient concept of operations. Potentially damaging debris range in size and mass from very small microdebris to much larger debris. Removal of these differing types of debris involves different mission requirements, and it may be desirable to combine the removal of both types of debris into one mission. Solving a traveling salesman problem with variable costs due to the dynamic nature of space debris is a challenging problem that is simplified and aided by the use of a time-expanded network. For each pair of nodes and time steps, the cost to travel from one debris to another is approximated and optimized. The mission is then formulated as a Mixed-Integer Linear Problem. Using this formulation, an optimal mission scenario with a subset of targeted debris can efficiently and accurately be computed from a large set of potential debris to be removed. Several case studies demonstrate the usefulness of this approach, examining missions using a high-thrust engine to stabilize the debris environment by removing at least five pieces of debris over the course of one year.

Committee

• Prof. Koki Ho – School of Aerospace Engineering (advisor)
• Prof. Brian Gunter – School of Aerospace Engineering
• Prof. E. Glenn Lightsey – School of Aerospace Engineering