标题： 无接触空间碎片清除的离子束牧羊人 显示英文标题

标题： Ion Beam Shepherd for Contactless Space Debris Removal

摘要： 一种用于无接触主动清除大型空间碎片的新概念被提出，该概念利用高速定向离子束。 离子束引导航天器（IBS）配备有产生准中性等离子体的电推进系统，该等离子体指向空间碎片，从而在不与后者物理接触的情况下远程改变其轨道。 引导束必须配备一个次级推进系统，以抵消离子束施加的反作用力，从而在整个离轨（或重新轨道）过程中保持与空间碎片的距离恒定。 提供了该概念的初步分析，突出了预期的性能和主要技术挑战。 该概念有望使大型碎片清除操作在未来不久成为可能。 显示英文摘要

摘要： A novel concept for contactless active removal of large space debris is proposed exploiting the use of a high-speed targeted ion beam. The ion beam shepherd spacecraft (IBS) is equipped with an electric propulsion system generating a quasi-neutral plasma pointed against the space debris to remotely modify its orbit without physical contact with the latter. The beam shepherd must be equipped with a secondary propulsion system which counteracts the reaction force exerted by the ion beam hence keeping the distance between the space debris constant throughout the deorbit (or reorbit) process. A preliminary analysis of the concept is provided highlighting the expected performance and the main technologicals challenges. The concept has the potential of making large debris removal operations possible in the near future.