Abstract
Space debris particles with dimensions smaller than tens of millimetres are not trackable with existing monitoring systems and have sufficient energy to harm orbiting Earth satellites during impact events. This paper presents a proof-of-concept for an in-situ smart carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite orbital debris detector that is capable of localising space debris impacts on Earth satellites and measuring the direction and velocity of debris particles. This spacecraft detection system can be used to warn satellites about the impact occurrence and to enhance current Space Surveillance Networks by providing a catalogue of debris objects. The proposed orbital debris detector consists of two thin parallel CFRP composite plates, each instrumented with three piezoelectric transducers embedded into the laminate. The localisation method is based on the measurement of acoustic emissions generated by debris impacts on the CFRP plates, which are processed with the time reversal algorithm. The calculation of the direction of debris particles and their speed are accomplished by determining the arrival time of acquired signals and the speed of waves propagating within each CFRP plate. Experimental results showed accurate estimation of the impact location, direction and velocity, thus demonstrating the potential use of the proposed orbital debris detector in future Earth satellite systems.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 499-508 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Acta Astronautica |
| Volume | 160 |
| Early online date | 26 Feb 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2019 |
Keywords
- Composite materials
- Embedded sensors
- Impact localisation
- Space debris
- Time reversal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aerospace Engineering
Cite this
Proof of concept for a smart composite orbital debris detector. / De Simone, Mario Emanuele; Andreades, Christos; Hilmi, Amin Mohamad; Meo, Michele; Ciampa, Francesco.
In: Acta Astronautica, Vol. 160, 01.07.2019, p. 499-508.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Proof of concept for a smart composite orbital debris detector
AU - De Simone, Mario Emanuele
AU - Andreades, Christos
AU - Hilmi, Amin Mohamad
AU - Meo, Michele
AU - Ciampa, Francesco
PY - 2019/7/1
Y1 - 2019/7/1
N2 - Space debris particles with dimensions smaller than tens of millimetres are not trackable with existing monitoring systems and have sufficient energy to harm orbiting Earth satellites during impact events. This paper presents a proof-of-concept for an in-situ smart carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite orbital debris detector that is capable of localising space debris impacts on Earth satellites and measuring the direction and velocity of debris particles. This spacecraft detection system can be used to warn satellites about the impact occurrence and to enhance current Space Surveillance Networks by providing a catalogue of debris objects. The proposed orbital debris detector consists of two thin parallel CFRP composite plates, each instrumented with three piezoelectric transducers embedded into the laminate. The localisation method is based on the measurement of acoustic emissions generated by debris impacts on the CFRP plates, which are processed with the time reversal algorithm. The calculation of the direction of debris particles and their speed are accomplished by determining the arrival time of acquired signals and the speed of waves propagating within each CFRP plate. Experimental results showed accurate estimation of the impact location, direction and velocity, thus demonstrating the potential use of the proposed orbital debris detector in future Earth satellite systems.
AB - Space debris particles with dimensions smaller than tens of millimetres are not trackable with existing monitoring systems and have sufficient energy to harm orbiting Earth satellites during impact events. This paper presents a proof-of-concept for an in-situ smart carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite orbital debris detector that is capable of localising space debris impacts on Earth satellites and measuring the direction and velocity of debris particles. This spacecraft detection system can be used to warn satellites about the impact occurrence and to enhance current Space Surveillance Networks by providing a catalogue of debris objects. The proposed orbital debris detector consists of two thin parallel CFRP composite plates, each instrumented with three piezoelectric transducers embedded into the laminate. The localisation method is based on the measurement of acoustic emissions generated by debris impacts on the CFRP plates, which are processed with the time reversal algorithm. The calculation of the direction of debris particles and their speed are accomplished by determining the arrival time of acquired signals and the speed of waves propagating within each CFRP plate. Experimental results showed accurate estimation of the impact location, direction and velocity, thus demonstrating the potential use of the proposed orbital debris detector in future Earth satellite systems.
KW - Composite materials
KW - Embedded sensors
KW - Impact localisation
KW - Space debris
KW - Time reversal
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85062221330&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.02.024
DO - 10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.02.024
M3 - Article
VL - 160
SP - 499
EP - 508
JO - Acta Astronautica
JF - Acta Astronautica
SN - 0094-5765
ER -