ABSTRACT
This chapter surveys the available approaches to the problem of large space debris mitigation. It contains a brief description of the main engineering solutions that can be applied for capturing and removing large space debris objects. The chapter considers tether systems, electrodynamic tethers, manipulators, contactless ion-beam systems, laser systems and solar sails and also considers both low Earth orbit and the vicinity of the geostationary orbit. De/re-orbiting can be effected in two ways which differ in the role of an active spacecraft: it either transfers between objects or delivers independently an object to a disposal orbit and then returns back to deal with the next object. The most accurate docking to the target is achieved by using manipulators. However, for robotic docking systems the requirements are too stringent for the accuracy of space debris objects detection vision systems and the analysis of the most convenient capture points.
