System and method of solar flux concentration for orbital debris remediation

摘要

A system for concentrating solar radiation onto a space debris object to vaporize includes a focusing system, an object tracking system and a positioning system. The focusing system has a total focal length fT, and includes a first focusing device and a second focusing device. The first focusing devices change from a compact state to a deployed state, and the compact surface area is less than the deployed surface area. The object tracking system determines the location of the object. The positioning system orients the focusing system such that solar radiation focuses on the space debris object.

主权项

1. A system for concentrating solar radiation onto an object at a location, said system comprising:
a focusing system having a total focal length fT, said focusing system including a first focusing device and a second focusing device, said first focusing device being operable to change from a first compact state to a first deployed state, said first focusing device having a first compact surface area when in the first compact state, said first focusing device having a first deployed surface area when in the first deployed state, the first compact surface area being less than the first deployed surface area, said second focusing device being operable to change from a second compact state to a second deployed state, said second focusing device having a second compact surface area when in the second compact state, said second focusing device having a second deployed surface area when in the second deployed state, the second compact surface area being less than the second deployed surface area, said first focusing device having a first focal length f1 in the first deployed state, said second focusing device having a second focal length f2 in the second deployed state, said first focusing device in the first deployed state sharing an optic axis with said second focusing device in the second deployed state, said first focusing device in the first deployed state being separated from said second focusing device in the second deployed state by a distance d, the focusing system further including an extensible piston having a proximal end connected to one of the first and second focusing devices and a distal end extending outward from one of the first and second focusing devices, and guy wires connected between the distal end and one of the first and second focusing devices to control one or both of a shape and a position of one of the first and second focusing devices; an object tracking system operable to determine the location; and a positioning system operable to position said focusing system such that solar radiation focuses at the location.