Laura Pirovano

Dr. Laura Pirovano


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 February 2023 in Astrodynamics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MWMinduli C. Wijayatunga
Minduli C. Wijayatunga
RARoberto Armellin
Roberto Armellin
HHHarry Holt
Harry Holt
LPLaura Pirovano
Laura Pirovano
ALAleksander A. Lidtke
Aleksander A. Lidtke
Space debris have become exceedingly dangerous over the years as the number of objects in orbit continues to increase. Active debris removal (ADR) missions have gained significant interest as effective means of mitigating the risk of collision between objects in space. This study focuses on developing a multi-ADR mission that utilizes controlled reentry and deorbiting. The mission comprises two spacecraft: a Servicer that brings debris to a low altitude and a Shepherd that rendezvous with the debris to later perform a controlled reentry. A preliminary mission design tool (PMDT) was developed to obtain time and fuel optimal trajectories for the proposed mission while considering the effect of J2, drag, eclipses, and duty cycle. The PMDT can perform such trajectory optimizations for multi-debris missions with computational time under a minute. Three guidance schemes are also studied, taking the PMDT solution as a reference to validate the design methodology and provide guidance solutions to this complex mission profile.