The rapid increase in space debris poses a significant threat to the safety of in-orbit spacecraft and the utilization of valuable orbital resources. Active debris removal (ADR) has emerged as the most effective approach to mitigating debris growth. However, traditional rigid capture methods are limited by constraints such as capture distance, target adaptability, and the risk of generating secondary debris, making them inadequate for the increasingly complex space debris environment. Net-membrane capture systems integrate smart materials with controllable deployment mechanisms, offering advantages such as long-range capture, adaptability to non-cooperative targets, and reusability. However, the dynamic characteristics throughout the entire process—shooting, deployment, contact, and wrapping capture—remain insufficiently understood. The combined stretching, shearing, and bending deformations of the membrane, along with the complex contact mechanics introduced by debris spin, pose challenges for traditional modeling approaches such as the finite element method (FEM) and the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF).
In a recent study published in Space: Science & Technology, a research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China proposed a dynamic modeling and simulation method for a net-membrane capture system that accounts for combined deformations. The study develops a dynamic model of the membrane using the multiparticle method (MPM), incorporating stretching, shearing, and bending stiffness to accurately describe combined deformations. A contact model based on continuous contact theory and Coulomb’s law is also established to simulate the interaction between the membrane and debris. Through multiple sets of numerical simulations, the study systematically analyzes the effects of shooting velocity, ejection angle, and bullet mass on membrane deployment behavior, leading to the identification of optimal shooting parameters. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively simulate the capture of both stationary and spinning debris with spherical or polyhedral shapes. During the capture of spinning debris, the tangential friction between the membrane and debris significantly reduces the debris’s spin rate, demonstrating excellent despinning capability. This research provides a theoretical foundation for parameter optimization and engineering design of net-membrane capture systems, contributing to the advancement of reusable and highly adaptable active debris removal technologies.
