Journal of Harmonized Research in Engineering

SYSTEM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON THE ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL (ADR) ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Author(s): Akiko Otsuka*, Naohiko Kohtake, Yoshiaki Ohkami

Throughout our space development and utilization activities since 1957, we have left many man-made objects in space, what is called, space debris. Situation of space development is getting worse as t he number of space debris increases and the Active Debris Removal (ADR) is one of the technical feasible solutions to remedy space environment immediately. However the ADR is still under an early phase of concept study, though the other solutions have been in action. The purpose of this paper is to assess the ADR architecture in order to propose some solutions for making the ADR in action from the system engineering point of view. Through analyzing the ADR architecture by customer value chain analysis (CVCA) and comparing with Greenhouse Gas scheme, several clues have been found to bring the ADR in action. In addition, the ADR architecture was reviewed from legislative point of view to reveal new aspects of the ADR.