A Standards-Based Architecture for Active Orbital Debris Rendezvous, Capture, Multi-Target Servicing, and Controlled Disposal

Orbital debris removal is often described as a collection problem, but the governing physics make it a rendezvous-and-relative-motion problem first. A chaser cannot safely “hold out a catcher” for an unrelated object moving at orbital speed. It must deliberately change its velocity (delta-v), thereby changing its orbit and phase, rendezvous with the target, reduce relative position and relative velocity to a controlled capture state, and only then attach, detumble, tow, reorbit, or deorbit the object. This paper proposes ORBICYCLE, a modular debris-removal architecture that combines established orbital rendezvous mechanics with demonstrated cooperative magnetic capture, emerging standardized Design-for-Removal interfaces, target-specific legacy capture, and multi-target servicing. The architecture is intended to shift orbital sanitation from bespoke rescue missions toward lifecycle infrastructure. The literature supports technical feasibility of the component technologies; the integrated ORBICYCLE architecture remains a proposal requiring high-fidelity simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, legal authorization, and orbital demonstration.

Keywords: orbital debris, active debris removal, rendezvous, relative velocity, Design for Removal, MICE, magnetic capture, space sustainability, multi-target servicing, systems engineering