Comparison of two AC current de-tumbling methods for uncooperative space target through electromagnetic characteristic analysis

A large number of space debris with rotational motion occupy scarce orbital resources, thus, a de-tumbling phase may be necessary prior to the capturing phase to reduce the risk of collision. A new contactless AC current de-tumbling method based on the principle of electromagnetic eddy current is proposed in this paper. Firstly, an analysis is conducted on external disturbances affecting the attitude of the debris and de-tumbling device, such as magnetic field perturbations. Compared to the electromagnetic forces acting on de-tumbling device, the influence of the geomagnetic force on detumbling device can be negligible. However, the geomagnetic torque acting on de-tumbling device cannot be ignored. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of the two AC current cases are compared and analyzed, and the method to increase the de-tumbling torque can be obtained by adjusting the frequency of the three phase AC current. Finally, the three-dimensional attitude dynamics of the uncooperative space target is established taking a spinning cylinder as the hypothetical target of de-tumbling. Simulation shows that the de-tumbling method is effective and the de-tumbling rate can be greatly improved by adjusting the frequency of the three phase AC current.