A Net-Capture and Tow Servicer for Removing Uncooperative Debris: Energy, Momentum and Tow Budgets

This paper presents a computed design study of a civilian orbital-safety system based on mechanical entanglement capture followed by chemical tow propulsion. It is a computed study of a civilian orbital-safety system, with no targeting application and no weapon application. Status: SIMULATED, NOT MEASURED. Under the stated assumptions the sizing gives a capture kinetic energy J of 65.2, a tow delta v m per s of 124, and a tow propellant kg of 95.2. Further computed quantities include net system mass kg of 25; stack mass kg of 2.3e+03; closing speed m per s of 0.5; tether peak force est N of 32.6. The design is sized end to end from the stated assumptions in the deposited computation, so every headline number can be reproduced, challenged and revised. Where the approach performs poorly, that result is reported at the same size as the favourable results: the limitations section names the conditions under which this design should not be chosen. The contribution is a complete, auditable sizing for one operating principle, intended to be compared like-for-like with sizings built on other principles for the same task.