Electrostatic Spacecraft Reorbiter

摘要

Spacecraft vehicles and methods for providing reorbiters capable of moving target objects are provided. More particularly, a reorbiter utilizing electrostatic or Coulomb force for acting on target objects and for moving the target objects into new orbits or altitudes are provided. The reorbiter may establish an electrostatic force by controlling the electrical potential of the reorbiter through active charge emission. The target object may acquire an electrical potential due to its interaction with the space plasma and photoelectrons or the reorbiter may impart additional charge to the target object. After establishing the electrostatic force, a propulsion system of the reorbiter is operated to provide thrust. Thrust is directed to change the orbit and/or position of the target object that is being moved by the electrostatic force between the reorbiter and the target object.