A Dynamic Power Management Strategy for Robotic Space Debris Capture Systems in Orbit Recycler Satellites
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The accumulation of space debris in low Earth orbit has become a critical challenge for current and future space missions. Although various active debris removal concepts have been proposed, most existing studies focus on capture mechanisms while overlooking onboard power limitations. In practical satellite systems, debris capture operations often introduce transient high-power loads that may exceed available energy capacity. This paper proposes a dynamic power management strategy for an orbit recycler satellite equipped with a robotic capture module. The approach incorporates real-time power awareness into the control process by considering battery state-of-charge and instantaneous power margin when determining capture actions. In addition, a peak power mitigation method is introduced to reduce transient load spikes during actuator operation. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy effectively limits peak power within system constraints and improves battery utilization, while maintaining capture performance. The study highlights the importance of integrating power constraints into system-level design for reliable debris removal missions.
Source: Frontiers in Engineering
DOI: 10.63313/fe.9006
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7161017886