Publication
Space debris ontology for ADR capture methods selection
Marko Jankovic; Mehmed Yüksel; Mohammad Mohammadzadeh Babr; Francesca Letizia; Vitali Braun
In: Acta Astronautica, Vol. n.n. Pages 56-68, Elsevier Ltd. 4/2020.
Abstract
Studies have concluded that active debris removal (ADR) of the existing in-orbit
mass is necessary. However, the quest for an optimal solution does not have
a unique answer and the available data often lacks coherence. To improve this
situation, modern knowledge representation techniques, that have been shaping
the World Wide Web, medicine and pharmacy, should be employed. Prior
efforts in the domain of space debris have only focused onto space situational
awareness, neglecting ADR. To bridge this gap we present a domain-ontology of
intact derelict objects, i. e. payloads and rocket bodies, for ADR capture methods
selection. The ontology is defined on a minimal set of physical, dynamical
and statistical parameters of a target object. The practicality and validity of
the ontology are demonstrated by applying it onto a database of 30 representative
objects, built by combining structured and unstructured data from publicly
available sources. The analysis of results proves the ontology capable of inferring
the most suited ADR capture methods for considered objects. Furthermore, it
confirms its ability to handle the input data from different sources transparently,
minimizing user input. The developed ontology provides an initial step
towards a more comprehensive knowledge representation framework meant to
improve data management and knowledge discovery in the domain of space debris.
Furthermore, it provides a tool that should make the initial planning of
future ADR missions simpler yet more systematic.