Feedback control of a density-based space debris model to support the definition of efficient mitigation and remediation strategies

Abstract. Space can be seen as an extension of our planet’s biosphere, and as happens with Earth’s ecosystem, humanity’s utilisation of it is not sustainable. The number of in-orbit debris is dramatically growing and the current guidelines for limiting their proliferation are less adequate to face nowadays situation. The research proposes to develop a systematic way to investigate the effectiveness of the different mitigation and remediation measures. This is done integrating a density-based model for in-orbit objects propagation with a feedback controller on the environment, mimicking human actions in space, to reach a target scenario. The tool will be a valuable support to the definition of a new strategy for the sustainable future utilisation of space.