Geosynchronous Earth Orbit/Low Earth Orbit Space Object Inspection and Debris Disposal: A Preliminary Analysis Using a Carrier Satellite With Deployable Small Satellites

From communication to weather prediction, to national security, geosynchronous satellites play an important role in our society. Geosynchronous satellites are about 35,786 km (22,236 miles) from the surface of the earth. Getting a satellite to this altitude is very expensive, making geosynchronous satellites highly valued assets. Ground-based observation of these satellites is very limited and provides little insight when failures or anomalies occur. To provide detailed images and information of these critical satellites, highly functioning smaller satellites can be employed. This study explores the potential benefits of using these smaller satellites to perform on-orbit proximity inspections of geosynchronous satellites. The smaller satellites, referred to as inspectors, will be stationed on a larger satellite, called a carrier, in an orbit close to the geosynchronous orbit. The propellant that is required of the inspector to travel to the desired geosynchronous satellite, stay in proximity to perform an inspection, and then travel back to the carrier (to refuel and await its next mission) will be minimized. New and traditional minimization techniques will be used to find minimum propellant solutions. Using the minimum propellant solutions, estimates of the required mass of the inspector and the carrier can be made through the use of well know methods. The total mass estimates of the inspector and carrier system were compared to the mass estimate of a single satellite, without carrier or refueling, performing the same inspection missions. From the analysis and comparison, a carrier with deployable and refuelable small satellites has the potential to reduce total satellite mass