Active Debris Removal in Low Earth Orbit: A Comparative Analysis of Kinetic, Contactless, and Drag Augmentation Technologies

The accumulation of human-made debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) threatens the future of space operations and global satellite infrastructure. As the risk of Kessler syndrome grows, a scenario in which a single collision can trigger an unstoppable chain reaction, Active Debris Removal (ADR) has shifted from an optional research pursuit to a necessary complement to existing debris-mitigation policy. This paper reviews and compares three major technological approaches to ADR: kinetic/contact capture, encompassing nets, harpoons, and robotic arms; contactless removal, such as laser ablation and ion beam shepherds; and magnetic or tether-based drag augmentation. Because the orbital debris population is highly diverse in size, mass, and material composition, no single cleanup method is sufficient on its own. Managing LEO sustainably over the long term will require an integrated, multi-tiered ADR strategy that matches each technology to the class of debris it is best suited to address.