Cusp-type bi-directional radiofrequency plasma thruster toward contactless active space debris removal

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Abstract
Active removal of space debris is an emerging technology aimed at sustaining space activity in Earth orbit by mitigating the risk of collisions between operational satellites and debris. Utilizing a bi-directional magnetic nozzle (MN) radiofrequency (rf) plasma thruster has been proposed to remediate and remove debris from the Earth orbit, where the debris is decelerated by continuously exerting a force to the debris by a plasma beam ejected from the thruster, and zero net force exerted to the thruster is simultaneously maintained by ejecting a second plasma beam to the opposite direction, maintaining the distance between the satellite and the debris. Previous laboratory experiment has demonstrated bi-directional plasma ejection from a single MN rf plasma thruster having two open source exits for symmetric magnetic field configuration having fairly straight magnetic field lines in the insulator source tube wound by a rf loop antenna. Enhancing the force exerted on the debris is essential for reducing the time required for deorbiting. Here it is demonstrated that a symmetric cusp-field configuration can increase the force exerted to the debris under the circumstance that the thrust is maintained at nearly zero level by the bi-directional ejection of the plasma, where the convergent-divergent MNs are formed near the two open-source exits.
Funding Information
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (23H05442)
  • Murata Science and Education Foundation

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