METHOD OF CLEARING ORBIT FROM SPACE DEBRIS Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC B64G1/56 B64G1/64 

FIELD: cosmonautics; recycling and disposal of waste.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to methods and means for cleaning orbits of space debris, mainly spent stages (OS) of launch vehicles. Method includes the removal in the area of cleaning of the spacecraft-tug (SCT) (1) and autonomous docking module (ADM) (2) on cable (4). ADM (2) is joined to OS (3) and quenches the kinetic moment of the OS with its control motors (6). Kinetic moment of bundle (1)-(4)-(2)-(3) is extinguished by engines of SCT (1) and engines (6) of ADM. Tension of cable (4) when SS (3) and SCT (1) are tightened is supported by SCT (1) engines at the level specified by the strength condition. Descent of the SS into the recycling orbit is carried out by engines of SCT and ADM. Operating system is chosen to carry out the said operations for its removal with the available power and thrust-weight equipment of the SCT and the ADM.

EFFECT: technical result consists in increasing the likelihood of successful operations for actively de-orbiting space debris objects.

1 cl, 5 dwg, 1 tbl