Vol. 1 (2025)

Articles

Electrodynamic Plasma System for Active Space Debris Mitigation

Published 2025-12-01

  • A.R. Karimov
    • ,
  • G.O. Buyanov

A.R. Karimov
Department of Electrophysical Facilities, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Kashirskoye Shosse 31, Moscow 115409, Russia and Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhorskaya St. 13 Bd.2, Moscow 125412, Russia

G.O. Buyanov
Department of Electrophysical Facilities, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Kashirskoye Shosse 31, Moscow 115409, Russia

Abstract

The paper describes a novel electrodynamic plasma system designed for the active removal of space debris from near-Earth orbits. The proposed concept develops previous research on plasma-based propulsion and environmental utilization of the ionospheric medium as a natural source of both matter and energy. In the present work, detailed modeling of the electrodynamic interaction between the plasma flow and debris fragments is performed, taking into account the parameters of the upper atmosphere, including the real distribution of neutral and charged particles at altitudes of 100-400 km. A new design of gas-dynamic trap and discharge chamber is introduced to increase the local density of captured particles, ensuring stable plasma generation without onboard propellant storage. The preliminary estimates of material and energy characteristics confirm the technical feasibility of the working out system.

Keywords

Space debris removal, electrodynamic plasma system, ionospheric medium, plasma accelerator, solar energy, near-Earth environment

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