Plasma Beam Solution Tackles Kessler Syndrome Threat

There are many laboratories working on solutions to Kessler syndrome, where there are so many debris in low terrestrial orbit that rockets are no longer able to reach it without being struck by hypersonic parts of the missing equipment. Although we have not yet arrived at the point where we have lost access to space, there will be a day when it will happen if we do not do something. A new article by Kazunori Takahashi from Tohoku University in Japan is examining a new solution that uses a type of magnetic field generally observed in fusion reactors to decelerate debris using a plasma beam, while lounging with an equal and opposite push on the other side.

The researchers worked on two main categories of systems for the type of work of Derorbot which could save us from Kessler – Contact and non -Contact syndrome. Contact the systems physically entering into contact with the debris, for example by a net or a grapple hook, and slow down the debris to the point where it can be safe. This method is confronted with the challenge that most debris run uncontrollable and could potentially destroy the satellite trying to contact it if it moves unexpectedly – adding the problem rather than solving it.

Consequently, contactless forms are in the ascendant, because they allow a system designed to descend another satellite to stay a few meters while affecting its speed. As a general rule, they use systems such as lasers, ion beams or, in the case of Takahashi’s invention, plasma beams, to slow down their planned target to a point where it can be safe. The problem with the desire -based designing systems is the third law of Newton – as plasma is directed towards the target, it repels the operational system of that deceased, acting essentially as a small plasma propeller. As the distance between the two increases, the delaying effect of plasma decreases. To solve this problem, Takahashi and his colleagues researchers presented a bidirectional propellant in an article in 2018 which thwarted the power force of the plasma used to slow down the target with an equal force in the opposite direction, allowing it to maintain its position.

Advancement of plasma propellant technology

However, in this original article, the thrust was too low to effectively unravel some of the most important potential targets for such a mission. Takahashi therefore began to improve design by implementing a “cuspid” magnetic field. These are generally used in fusion reactors to ensure that plasma does not interact with the wall of the magnetic chamber. The cusp of a magnetic field is a point to which two opposite magnetic fields meet and cancel, creating a rapid change in direction for the forces they apply. Ideally, this results in a stronger plasma beam.

This is what happened when Takahashi has set up an experience to test the new Cuspid system with the previous “right field” system which had proved too low. It saw an improvement of 20% of the force that the propellant of the plasma exercised on the target, which led to a thrust of 17.1 Milliners at the same level of power. When he climbed the power level to 5 kW (compared to the 3 kW of the original test), he showed an improved deceleration of about 25 minutes, which is approaching the level of 30 minutes which should be necessary to decelerate a piece of debris of 1 ton in 100 days. It also had the additional advantage of using the Argon as a fuel, which is cheaper compared to the xenon generally used in plasma propellants.

Even with this success, there is still a lot of work to do before it becomes a fully expanded system. The experience was carried out in an empty room, with the plasma propellant just 30 centimeters from the target, compared to the meters which would be necessary in a real orbital environment. In fact, the debris target will also move compared to the Deorbot system when it slows down, it will therefore have to find a balance between maintaining the distance from a slowdown object and continue to draw the deceleration beam. And finally, there is the disadvantage by literally using twice as much fuel than other solutions that do not require functionality features are opposite directions – while fuel may not be a problem for plasma propellants, by operating more than 100 days is sure to consume a lot.

That said, any new solution to this potentially catastrophic problem is welcome, and Takahashi will probably continue to work on the development of this prototype. One day soon, you could even look at a double -push plasma engine explode to a large spatial piece.