Systematic tracking, harvesting and in-space disposal of space debris

Abstract

The embodiments of invention relates to the in-orbit clearance and disposal of space debris within approved geospatial orbital regions using a wide assortment of apparatus and devices encompassing trawler harvesting, lasers cannons and remote piloted handling methods. All events are guided and managed by integrated United States Air Force (USAF) geospatial software and database systems to locate, legally verify, and then remove and transport collected space debris to a disposal facility in high geostationary earth orbit (GEO). These clearing methods and apparatus are coordinated and orchestrated in real-time event according to USAF procedures and policies and the Field Operations Commander.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

“There is no easy or cheap solution to permanently clear space debris. Cleaning it up will be very expensive and take many years [decades]” (re: The Aerospace Corporation Website). At Table 3, several patents are presented highlighting many historic solutions to resolve this ever growing problem of space debris. Within each earlier solution, the patent describes only a singular event of deflecting/de-orbiting or vaporizing the debris both methods appearing not to be continuous or sustainable. With each of these invention solutions, two critical areas have been omitted the legal aspects of international and sovereignty rights and coordination and approval from the USAF who is tracking this debris for NASA and sovereign countries.

This present invention is to improve on the said prior patents at Table 3 through the development and fielding of an orbital infrastructure at FIGS. 1, 2. This infrastructure will manage a fleet of clearance apparatus and an orbital disposal facility 1. This space debris infrastructure development is only made possible through the fielding of a fleet of trans-orbital freight carriers 2 [non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/047,316]. This carrier provides a continuous logistics pipeline delivering up to 60 tons of cargo or drones to the working areas.

With the said orbital infrastructure description, the methods of this present invention requires for a systematic streamlining procedures to smoothly integrate the multi-level dynamics encountered by engineering, management, military, legal and political joisting prior to clearance and disposal of any space debris. In developing these systematic procedures, this current invention requires the understanding of the historical background of the debris itself and concerns of the military efforts underway and politics.

Using a 1991 data baseline as reference, Table 1 exhibits an assessment about the various debris dimensions and traceability. For example, improperly removing debris 4-inches and over from a heavier derelict rocket or structural component will break apart creating more debris and even more difficult to clear. 1991 apparatus is not suited for this task. Using this apparatus, a large population debris below 10-cm is very hard to find and track having the potential to damage a satellite or space station. Using 1991 apparatus and technology, Table 1 assessments reflect that it would be impossible to remove debris and it will remain in place or self de-orbit.

[Insert Table 1]

During the 90's, The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) had created an international governmental forum for the worldwide coordination of activities related to the issues of man-made and natural debris in space. It was comprised of steering group and four specified working groups covering measurements (WG1), environment and database (WG2), protection (WG3) and mitigation (WG4). There are international guidelines for doing this from the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC). Many nations, including the United States, have rules about getting rid of old satellites and rockets. Therefore, the IADC guidelines remain difficult and expensive to eliminate old spacecraft, especially if the satellite or rocket was not designed for disposal. A safe conclusion today is the Table 1 and Table 2 objects remain where they are and the Committee truly does not have either the resolve, advanced apparatus or funding to aggressively elimination the threat. However, the working group's efforts might serve as baseline references for other US Government Tracking Efforts,

[Insert Table 2]

When examining Table 1 and Table 2, these tables introduces a vast and growing concern of space debris population and the IADC committees are essentially at a loss reducing the population. Table 3 tabularizes the suggested clearance methods which fundamentally unchanged since 1990. Although these patents and US NPGS thesis are well thought out methods, the singularity cost of implementing these patents to clear or significantly reduce this population where economic funding from IADC could never be realized. Notwithstanding, outlined in Table 4 provides an overview of the precise tracking methods of the debris population that remains a critical task and needed by this invention to fulfill it missions.

[Insert Table 3]

At Tables 1 and 2, an overview of the space debris population is exhibited showing the percentage breakdown and growing vastness of this debris population. To reduce this population, a synopsis of patents, Table 3 depicts an assortment of methods and viable within their singularity that are lacking to two (2) key said elements of tracking and legal attributes.

Table 4 provides an overview of the precise tracking and cataloguing methods by currently in use by the USAF, DoD and their support contractors. It is essential that this present invention needs to be integrated with tracking methods and legal and political environment to accomplish its collect and disposal methods.

With the said Table 4 tracking methods, FIG. 1 exhibits a management selection process to determine a conceptual operational environment (COE) of an area to be cleared guided by a programmatic tasks directing activities to define, approve and request execution of a project to clear debris within a specific geospatial orbital region (e.g. sandbox). With a specific orbital region authorized for clearance, FIG.2 presents a COE set-up of an orbital infrastructure to collect/harvest/vaporize, transport, and dispose of this debris field. However, this harvesting infrastructure will begin with few assets and be expanded over time. When at the appropriate time, these assets can be repurposed for other missions.

[Insert Table 4]

With the said Table 4 USAF tracking methods established, the legal and International Space Laws concerns are to be equally addressed in Table 5 which requires a smooth integration into the methods of this invention to ensure that debris is legally cleared and disposed of without violating nation sovereignty.

As this current invention is implemented, area of improvement comes with a closer coordination of the said Table 4 to the Legal and Treaty environment highlighted at Table 5. The coordination is needed because the debris is actually being permanently cleared. Being cleared, all appropriate databases must reflect the debris has been removed and no longer a liability.

As a new clearance project commences, ultimate harvest users would set-up location FIGS. 1, 2, 3 of the legal clearance areas and then invoke existing procedures for handling and disposal of large structural components, satellites and radioactive components. Identified radioactive components would adhere to international treaties agreements and placed in Space Barges and moved into safe Dump Orbit. This invention requires a one-time solution to understand and streamline working agreements to avoid future roadblocks and legal interventions to slow down clearance of debris. This is critical factor because the ‘Kessler Effect’, as stated by NASA scientist Donald Kessler in 1978, “remains a risk that will render space activities unfeasible for several decades”.

[Insert Table 5]

Table 5 highlights the complexity and perplexity of dealing with international treaties that coupled with the US legal atmosphere becomes an inherent functional part of this invention to ‘operate under’ and ‘integrated with’ any clearance and disposal effort. Methods and apparatus improvements exhibited in FIG. 1 thru FIG. 4 and being introduced with this patent anticipates that the future events could invoke ‘looking at’ and then streamlining to a singularity set of legal approval procedures and treaties to reduce the legal and political road blocks.

DRAWINGS (5)

The artwork displayed shows all embodiments of the invention that show the fusion of:

FIG. 1: a pictorial overview of a program manager identifying a clearance of a specific geospatial region following the logic task flow process states to initiate a new project;

FIG. 2: a pictorial overview of a geospatial regional harvesting operation and a setup of several local clearance operations following a harvesting processing flow process;

FIG. 3: a pictorial overview of local clearance operations, apparatus and harvesting process flow tasks;

FIG. 4: an isometric view of an orbital foundry complex and disposal processing at a disposal of space debris;

FIG. 5: an isometric view of a trans-orbital freight carrier and an intra-orbital and planetary Space Barge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In previous patents, methods of space debris disposal were a singular event and described one time usage of the apparatus for that event. These previous patents overlooked the complex integration into Department of Defense (DoD) environment highlighted in Table 4; legal liabilities of removal shown in Table 5; and the international treaty guidelines presented in Table 5A. Tables 4, 5 and 5A are implemented under the embodiments of these present inventions.

In the first embodiment of this invention, FIG. 1 depicts three program-level tasking states of: (1.) initiating the debris identification and geospatial analysis determining a specific area required to be cleared; (2) Set-up of a project performing data base analysis to determine debris ownership and dispatch messages to debris owners and dispatch recommended equipment list to appropriate commands; and (3) begin the execution project-level phase of generating a simulation and training package of the geospatial area to be cleared, request all harvesting assets to the clearance area, and acquire final disposition of the logistics pipeline assets to begin harvesting.

Second embodiment of this invention, FIG. 2 depicts two project-level tasking states of (1.) refining debris identification by interfacing to the appropriate data bases; updating the various models in the simulation and training package for testing real-time geospatial data prior to training; and issue orders to commence the collection operations; and upon receipt of orders; (2.) is the placement of the harvesting equipments assets in the appropriate operational area. Although FIG. 2 depicts a mature operational area, the said equipment and facility assets of this present invention will evolve and expand over time with fielding of a trans-orbital freight carrier 2.

In the third embodiment of this invention is depicted at FIG. 3 is a conceptual harvesting operation. A debris field is dynamic and volatile where clearance methods are based on a specific debris field population, density of the debris population, and the direction and speed of the debris field. Based on debris field dynamics, the starting position of harvesting assets and the supporting assets is recommended and data downloaded into the simulators. With said debris field is information and dynamics defined for clearance. The following operational events will be set in motion:

• • Prior to commencing the harvesting operation, harvesting crews practice clearance operations using simulation training devices. These simulations provide an understanding of how each team will coordinate their actions in the collection, clearing, and disposable of this specific debris field.
  • During the actual harvesting and clearance operations, plurality clearance methods will be employed for removing large fragments or satellites using robotic space tugs. When determined feasible, laser cannons vaporize anything within a local sand box; netting operations for certain size debris; and location of any radioactive debris requiring specialized handling for later disposition.
  • Monitoring of a clearance operations are performed by a plurality of Electro Optic System (EOS) Guidance Drones. These Drones provide X, Y, and Z geospatial locations data of debris removed or cleared. This data is feed back to the USAF Situational Awareness tracking sites in Table 4. The USAF will notify the “Launching Country” that their debris and their liability removed.
  • Large debris fragments or satellites collected at a harvesting site are transferred to an awaiting Space Barge(s) and transferred to a disposition area for final classification. Upon classification, the material can be reclaimed by the launching country, eliminated, or when toxic or radioactive brought into the “Dumping Orbit”

In the fourth embodiment of this invention is depicted at FIG. 4 [being] a conceptual Orbital Foundry Complex 1 that would serve as a debris classification, debris materials content separation; and smelting facility. When economically feasible, the “Foundry Complex” is placed into operation serving as the final solution to reclaim and separate all valuable metals for smelting. This complex is capable of supporting debris elimination and provides an orbital resource for mineral processing for any planetary and asteroid mining activities.

In the fifth embodiment of this invention, FIG. 5 displays the two critical apparatuses that make the present invention functional. The Trans-orbital freight carrier 2 [Non-Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 15,047,316] is solely responsible for the transport pipeline to bring all harvesting apparatuses and devices to the desired locations of said embodiments 3 and 4.

The first apparatus carrier 2 is the backbone for the trans-orbital transportation pipeline delivery and returning approximately 60 tons of materials and people to and from earth. The second apparatus is the Space Barge 3. The Barge(s) is the backbone for transportation pipeline services required for orbital and planetary sustainment and transportation of raw materials.

TABLE 1
Size and Impact Assessment
Dimensional Size Impact Assessment and Traceability
10-cm or larger  Tracked and cataloged by Space Surveillance Network
                 Catastrophic damage
5 cm to 10 cm    Lower Limit tracking by Space Surveillance Network
                 Catastrophic damage
1 cm to 5 cm     Most cannot be tracked
                 Major damage
3 mm to 1 cm     Cannot be tracked
                 Tests the upper limits of shielding if available
                 Localized damages
1 mm to 3 mm     Cannot be tracked
                 Localized damages
Source: Aerospace.Org/cords/

TABLE 2
2008 NASA Estimate Breakdown of Orbital Debris
Percentage
of Debris   Breakdown of Debris
17%         Rocket Bodies
19%         Mission-related debris
22%         Non-functional spacecraft
42%         Fragmentation debris
            Fuel, batteries, paint flakes
            11,000+ objects greater than 4-inches (10-cm)
            100,000+ between 0.4 to 4 inches (1-10-cm)
            500,000+ estimated pieces of debris between 1 and 10
            centimeters in size that cannot be seen
Radioactive The number of objects is unknown and collection
Debris      requires special handling methods and placed into a safe
            Dump Orbit in a earth GEO or Moon LaGrange Orbit or
            determined by State Registry
Source: NASA, 2008

TABLE 3
Basic Methods to Reduce Orbital Debris Population
Patent Application	Basic Clearance
or Number	Methods	Method Summarization
US Naval Post	Free electron	In this thesis paper, cover plurality of methods in which:
Graduate School	laser to	A high-peak power laser could be used to apply a small
Thesis	decelerate out of	change in orbital velocity over several orbits. By
ADA518696	orbit with an	changing the orbital profile to lower the perigee and,
Dtd. March 2010	alternate method	therefore, increasing atmospheric drag, the laser could
	to melt creating	greatly decrease the time it takes for debris to reenter.
	vaporization	High average power free electron laser (FEL) could melt
		and then vaporize some of the debris material, resulting
		in a smaller and less dangerous particle and making
		near-Earth space safer for satellites and manned
		missions
U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,702 B2	Plume of using	Under, this invention modulate atmospheric gases to
Filed: Dec. 30, 2014	atmospheric	clearing the space debris includes propelling a plume of
	gases	atmospheric gases substantially orthogonal to the path of
		the debris and accelerate natural orbital decay to the
		point of atmospheric re-entry.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,671	Tether-induced	Matter is concentrated towards the center of a receiving
Filed: Apr. 6, 1993	“gravity” by using	chamber surrounded by a polarity of magnetic forces
	electromagnetic	along a center line of a sleeve wall to be collected.
	devices	[Note: non-magnetic matter is not collected]
U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,407	Radiation device	Under this invention, a radiation source for generating the
Filed: Oct. 6, 1992	to bring on	radiation which brings about vaporization of the debris
	vaporization	material . . . moving in the orbit about earth
U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,211	Tethering to	Under this invention, controlled and predictable fashion a
Filed: Jan. 1, 1992	change the	first body is tethered to a lower altitude body. A suitable
	velocity and	length of tether is chosen to correlate with the orbital
	orbital altitude	characteristics of the higher altitude body such that the
		lower altitude body has a relatively low velocity for its
		orbital altitude
USP 2012/0286097	Decelerating	Under this invention, metallic plate is located in front
A1	space debris is	of a spacecraft in a traveling direction; space debris
Filed: Nov. 15, 2012	dropped from a	flying toward the spacecraft is made to hit and
	geocentric orbit	penetrate this metallic plate; and thus the space debris
		is crushed into small pieces
		After the crush, space debris according to the may lead
		to an unintended increase in the space debris due to a
		failure to drop the space debris with the increased
		orbiting velocity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,108 A	Explosions to	The device is remotely detonated, and an impulse,
Filed: Apr. 11, 1995	Change	caused by the expanding detonation products, is
	Trajectory	imparted to the debris, pushing the debris into a
		reentry or earth escape trajectory.

TABLE 4
Methods and DoD Programs for Tracking and Cataloguing Space Debris Objects
SSA Program	Supplier	Description
Space Fence	Lockheed Martin-	The upgraded Space Fence Program will have a modern, net-
Program	led teamed with	centric architecture capable of detecting and effectively tracking
Under the	General Dynamics,	much smaller objects in low/medium Earth orbit (LEO/MEO). It
pending start of	AT&T and AMEC	was slated to go live by 2015, but subsequent developments and
USA's Joint		requirements changes have pushed it to December 2018 at the
Space		earliest. The core SPF capabilities are:
Operations		1.	Detect, Track, and Identify. Discover, track, and
Center Mission			differentiate among space objects
System (JMS)		2.	Threat warning and Assessment. Predict and differentiate
Command			among potential or actual attacks, space weather
			environment effects, and space system anomalies
		3.	Intelligence characterization. Determine performance and
			characteristics of current and future foreign space and
			counterspace system capabilities, as well as foreign
			adversary intentions.
		4.	Data integration. Correlate and integrate multisource data
			into a single common operational picture and enable
			dynamic decision making.
Space-Based	Boeing, Space and	All existing capabilities and functional requirements will be
Space	Intelligence	upgraded then intergraded into the new initial operational
Surveillance	Systems Division	capability of the 2017 Space Fence Program initial operational
(SBSS)		capability.
Satellites		Space Fence will be replaced the existing Air Force Space
		Surveillance System, or VHF Fence, which has been in service
		since the early 1960s. The new system's initial operational
		capability is scheduled for 2017.
Joint Space	614th Air and	Focal point for the operational employment of worldwide
Operations	Space Operations	joint space forces, and enable the commander of Joint
Center, or	Center,	Functional Component Command for Space to integrate space
(JspOC)	Vandenberg AFB	power into a global military operations.
		Clearing house of military's tracking of space-based object
Australia's	Australia's Electro	The EOS Program uses a combination of radar-based
Electro Optic	Optic Systems Pty	systems, lasers and sensitive optical systems to detect,
Systems (EOS)	Ltd	track and characterize man-made debris objects.
Program		Established by Lockheed to act as “a strong
		complement the 2017 U.S. Air Force's Space Fence
Australia's	CRC Mt Stromlo,	The CRC charter will confront the threat of space debris
Cooperative	Australia	colliding with satellites in earth orbit and bring together
Research		expertise and resources from leading universities,
Centre (CRC)		space agencies and commercial research providers to
for Space		develop research programs which will focus on:
Environment		More accurate space debris tracking
Management		Improve Predictions of Space Debris Orbits
		Predict and monitor potential collisions in space
		And other related projects and efforts
Commercial	Analytical Graphics,	The ComSpOC is now tracking 4,426 total space objects,
Space	Inc.	75% of all active geosynchronous (GEO) satellites and
Operations		100% of all active GEO satellites over the continental
Center		U.S. ComSpOC has deployed over 28 optical sensors
(ComSpOC)		and one radar site. An RF data processing test has been
		verified by ComSpOC's ability to do near real-time
		maneuver characterization and continuous custody for
		active GEOs.
Space Object	Lockheed, Santa	The SPOT Program is array of ground-based system
Tracking (SPOT)	Cruz, CA	consisting of three, 1-meter optical telescopes and sets
Program		them on rails similar to train tracks to move the
		telescopes around.
		SPOT facility is employing a new software to manage a
		software delay-line, fiber coupling of the telescopes,
		and then the integrated into software for imagery
		construction.
Australia's	Australia's Electro	The EOS Program uses a combination of radar-
Electro Optic	Optic Systems Pty	based systems, lasers and sensitive optical systems
Systems (EOS)	Ltd	to detect, track and characterize man-made debris
Program		objects. Established by Lockheed to act as “a strong
		complement the 2017 U.S. Air Force's Space Fence
Australia's	CRC Mt Stromlo,	The CRC charter will confront the threat of space
Cooperative	Australia	debris colliding with satellites in earth orbit and
Research		bring together expertise and resources from
Centre (CRC)		leading universities, space agencies and commercial
for Space		research providers to develop research programs
Environment		which will focus on:
Management		More accurate space debris tracking
		Improve Predictions of Space Debris Orbits
		Predict and monitor potential collisions in
		space
		And other related projects and efforts
Commercial	Analytical Graphics,	The ComSpOC is now tracking 4,426 total space
Space	Inc.	objects, 75% of all active geosynchronous (GEO)
Operations		satellites and 100% of all active GEO satellites over
Center		the continental U.S. ComSpOC has deployed over
(ComSpOC)		28 optical sensors and one radar site. An RF data
		processing test has been verified by ComSpOC
		ability to do near real-time maneuver
		characterization and continuous custody for active
		GEOs.
Space Object	Lockheed, Santa	The SPOT Program is array of ground-based system consisting
Tracking (SPOT)	Cruz, CA	of three, 1-meter optical telescopes and sets them on rails
Program		similar to train tracks to move the telescopes around.
		SPOT facility is employing a new software to manage a
		software delay-line, fiber coupling of the telescopes, and then
		the integrated into software for imagery construction.
Secure World	Partnership	Agreement between the US, UK, Australia and Canada where
Foundation	between US, UK,	each country will have their own Operational Centers and
	Australia and	having coordination between them, “he said.” It's a signaling
	Canada	agreement among the four countries that this is important and
		provides a political framework for moving forward.
Design and	Numerica Corp	USAF awarded 5 contracts in 2012 to Numerica Corp for new
development of		algorithms to aid the USAF in safeguarding space assets and in
advanced		maintaining space situational awareness (SSA) for current and
algorithms to		future space deployments, through identification and tracking
augment its SS		of orbiting objects. The algorithms will offer enhanced
awareness		estimation and data fusion, multi-sensor space object tracking,
		efficient propagators and gravity models, as well as
		uncertainty management and anomaly detection for the SSA
		mission.
Next-	USAF space	Under a Numerica Corp Contract, USAF currently maintains an
generation SSA	catalogue	inventory of over 20,000 detectable space objects orbiting the
system	Numerica Corp	Earth, which are expected to increase up to 200,000 within the
		next five to ten years, due to improved sensors, future
		collision events and continuous fragmentation.
SOURCE: See Other References

TABLE 5
Legal Liability Issues over Debris Collection (Kessler Effect)
	Affects The
	Methods of
Core Legal Issues	this Invention	Summary
Issues regarding	Yes, each State	In general, challenging is establishing the “fault” of the
filing a claim	must approve	launching State. The fault liability presumes that a standard of
under the liability	and validate	care exists against which the reasonableness of the defendant's
convention	removal and to	actions can be judged. Proving fault requires the claimant State
	update their	to establish that the owner of the debris that caused the
	registries	damage did not comply with national or international standards
		or guidelines for conducting space activities or for debris
		mitigation.
Liability regime		Article VII in the Liability Convention of 1972 sets up a liability
for damage		regime according to which “Launching States” are liable for
caused by space debris		damage caused by debris generated by any private entities for
		which such States are responsible. The liability regime is two-
		fold depending on where the damage occurred.
		(a)	If the damage is caused on the surface of the Earth or to
			aircraft in flight, the simple proof of causality of damage is
			sufficient, regardless of proving fault.
		(b)	If the damage is caused to the space object of another
			State in outer space, the fault of the entity for whom the
			Launching State is responsible must be proven
State Parties		Launching State is defined as: “A State which launches or
Overview		procures the launching of a space object”; or “A State from
		whose territory or facility a space object is launched.”
Issues regarding		Only Launch State's which are parties to this Liability
filing a claim		Convention can file a claim, For the defendant to be liable,
under the liability		claimant would have to:
convention		(a)	Prove that damage was caused to the defendant citizens
			or to space objects registered by defendant on the
			registry which it maintains;
		(b)	Identify the space object that caused the damage and
			establish that who is “Launching State” defendant and
			therefore has ownership and control over it; and
		(c)	Prove that the damage was caused by the fault (as the
			damage has occurred in outer space) of the defendant or
			the fault of a private entity for whom the defendant is
			responsible.
		While the first element (a) may be relatively easy to prove,
		establishing the causality of damage caused by space debris
		may be difficult, France is lucky - the shielding part is large
		enough to be tracked and France can prove that it is from a UK
		satellite. But it would be difficult to identify particulate debris
		and trace it back to the owner of the original launched object.
		Currently only voluntary, non-binding standards and guidelines
Overview of Space Law Treaties and Laws Protocols
Treaties and
Protocols	Abstract	Summarization
United Nations	Office for	Outer Space Affairs implements the decisions of the General Assembly
Office for Outer	Outer Space	and of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The office
Space Affairs	Affairs	has the dual objective of supporting the intergovernmental discussions
within the	covering	in the Committee and its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and
Department for	Space Laws	Legal Subcommittee, and of assisting developing countries in using space
Political Affairs	and other	technology for development. In addition, it follows legal, scientific and
UN Office	related	technical developments relating to space activities, technology and
Vienna	documents.	applications in order to provide technical information and advice to
		Member States, international organizations and other United Nations
		offices.
		Sources http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/OOSA/index.html
		http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/SpaceLaw/index.html
Inter-Agency	Baseline	International removal guidelines outlined by the IADC. Many nations,
Space Debris	Guidelines	including the United States, have rules about getting rid of old satellites
Coordination		and rockets. Therefore, the IADC guidelines remain difficult and
Committee		expensive to eliminate old spacecraft, especially if the satellite or rocket
(IADC).		was not designed for disposal.
UK Outer Space	Magna Carta	UK Secretary of State maintains a register of space objects which have
Act 1986	for UK Space	been licensed by the UK. Outlined in Table 5 and fairly universal
	Law	practices
Outer Space	Magna Carta	Interpretative difficulties of this Treaty are illustrated in the Article IX
Treaty of 1967.	of Space Law	which explains that the study and exploration of outer space shall be
		conducted, “so as to avoid their harmful contamination,” and that States
		Parties, “shall adopt appropriate measures for this purpose.” The Article
		does not enlighten us as to what constitutes “harmful contamination'”
		or what such “appropriate measures” consist of. Space debris is not
		normally classed as “harmful contamination;” the phrase being usually
		construed as biological or radioactive contamination.
		An international consultation process is also provided for by Article IX. If
		a State believes that an activity planned by it or its nationals would
		“cause potentially harmful interference” to the activities of another
		State, it shall undertake consultations before proceeding. A State Party
		may also request consultations if it believes that an activity planned by
		another State would cause it potentially harmful interference. But it is
		difficult to describe the existence or creation of space debris as a future
		“planned” activity. The provisions also do not address the issue of
		current or completed activities or the problem of current space debris.
		The Outer Space Treaty Article VIII of provides that each Launch State
		retains ownership and control over objects launched into space that are
		registered on its registry.

Claims

1. Dedicated stand-up Program Management structure within the Joint Space Operations Center (JSOC) having management of a in-situ continuous and enduring clearance and disposal operation, said initial operational capabilities comprising of: Tracking and Surveillance software and databases from multiple sources are providing continuous two-way communications of real-time geospatial location data to the said harvesting apparatus and devices guiding each system to a debris object for clearance.Modeling, Simulation and Training (M, S&T) provides an expansion of current JSOC modeling environment. The said harvesting apparatus and devices are remotely piloted unmanned robotic vehicles in permanent geosynchronous orbit and under the control by the JSOC team. With the said modeling, Simulation and Training is a perpetual requirement to ensure proper and safe clearance of debris and training in the use of these vehicles.Protection is provided by the said harvesting apparatus and devices are remotely piloted unmanned robotic vehicles. As sensors and tracking determined that a specific large space debris or uncontrolled satellite is de-orbiting quickly the situational awareness warns of the potential hazards. Remotely piloted unmanned robotic vehicle devices are deployed to collect and return it to the said disposal area or to orbital foundry.Mitigation of any space debris while in orbit has specific protocol, procedures, legal and international implications to follow prior to removal. With the said embodiments of this invention, the actual removal and total mitigation is embedded within the JSOC management software systems guiding remotely unmanned robotic vehicle(s) devices and other apparatus to collect and dispose of debris following appropriate protocol, or placed in a dump orbit.Transportation Pipeline is established with a fleet of trans-orbital freight carriers to carry afloat and return with harvesting devices, sensors, personnel and specific debris cargo for the said embodiments of this invention.

2. Initiating the methods said in claim 1, wherein outlines the upper-level management, training and software requirements to be in place and tested prior to fielding the in-orbit support environment of said transportation pipeline, defining the region for a dump orbit, and establish procedures for managing the disposal area and sustainable resources.

3. The methods said in claim 2, wherein as the actual debris collection events begin to transmit the data to the harvesting apparatus providing identification, classification, and geospatial area coordinates and debris dynamics. With said data downloads, harvesting devices aggressively remove and bring the large debris inside space barges to the said disposal area and upon completion update the said tracking databases.

4. The method said in claim 3, wherein the said removal methods engage remotely piloted laser vaporization spacecraft devices to clear all identified materials capable of being safely vaporized.

5. The method said in claim 3, wherein the said removal methods engage remotely unmanned robotic vehicle(s) devices to collect and place toxic and nuclear wastes to specialized space barges and transported to the said dump orbit region.

6. The method said in claim 2, wherein the said removal methods engage, where feasible or practical, harvesting nets to collect identified debris or repurposed to validate this specific geospatial region has been cleared and safe.

7. The method said in claim 5, wherein the said disposal methods for satellites begins with a contained controlled orbital location to separate materials and determine final disposition or return to earth for repairs.

8. The method said in claim 7, wherein the said disposal methods are expanded to a Orbital Foundry Complex to better separate materials and determine final disposition for smelting or repair; provide a location for performing satellite repairs and upgrades returning them to full operational status.

9. The method said in claim 2, wherein the said transportation pipeline methods engage trans-orbital freight carrier devices providing total sustainment of all harvesting apparatus and operating environment.

10. The method said in claim 9, wherein all said devices, systems and apparatuses are capable of being repurposed for other orbital or planetary activities.