Application of multi-agent coordination methods to the design of space debris mitigation tours

• A categorization scheme for space debris mitigation strategies is proposed.
• Removal of large debris objects via touring chaser spacecraft is investigated.
• Initial encounter sequences are constructed by an ant colony optimization scheme.
• Chaser tours are adjusted in an operations scenario via auction and bidding methods.
• Results indicate a modest number of chasers can notably lower the debris population.

The growth in the number of defunct and fragmented objects near to the Earth poses a growing hazard to launch operations as well as existing on-orbit assets. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of active debris mitigation campaigns upon the growth of debris populations, but comparatively fewer investigations incorporate specific mission scenarios. Furthermore, while many active mitigation methods have been proposed, certain classes of debris objects are amenable to mitigation campaigns employing chaser spacecraft with existing chemical and low-thrust propulsive technologies. This investigation incorporates an ant colony optimization routing algorithm and multi-agent coordination via auctions into a debris mitigation tour scheme suitable for preliminary mission design and analysis as well as spacecraft flight operations.