This dissertation initiates an ambitious project proposed by AIRBUS Defense & Space America to design a new tethered space system for debris collection. The present study starts with the conception of a theoretical model of the behavior of the system based on a Newtonian description. In order to verify the validity of the theoretical model, a whole set of experiments have been designed to assess the system behavior. All this has been possible thanks to theMIT Space Systems Laboratory SPHERES facility. With the objective to conduct a further validation of the designed model aMatlab-SIMULINK model of the tether has been created to do time dependent simulations. This system has been integrated with the existent SPHERES Matlab-SIMULINK model available for laboratory scientists to simulate their own tests. With this simulation, the theoreticalmodel can be directly validated. Through the analysis of both experimental and simulations data, streams of improvement have been found. The conception of a complete estimation system will be necessary to make further research of the control of the studied tethered system. Key areas of improvement have been stated. Major consequences of the system actions such as pulls, collisions and winding of the tether have been highlighted to set the basis of this of what is meant to be a fully operative system for spatial debris collection.

Outgoing