Physical Simulation of a Prolonged Plasma-Plume Exposure of a Space Debris Object

Abstract

A methodology has been developed for the physical (laboratory) simulation of the prolonged exposure of a space debris object to high-energy ions of a plasma plume for removing the object into low-Earth orbit with its subsequent burning in the Earth’s atmosphere. The methodology is based on the equivalence criteria of two modes of exposure (in the Earth’s ionosphere and in the setup) and the procedure for accelerated resource tests in terms of the sputtering of the space debris material and its deceleration by a plasma jet in the Earth’s ionosphere.