This book presents a comprehensive exploration of space debris from four essential perspectives: detection, early warning, protection, and mitigation. It begins with both ground-based and space-based detection technologies and systems, followed by an in-depth discussion on debris environment modeling, prediction principles, and early warning mechanisms. The book then addresses spacecraft shielding structures and protective materials, along with mission-level protection design. Finally, it covers mission planning strategies and active debris removal techniques for long-term mitigation. Policy frameworks, international regulatory efforts, and global collaboration initiatives are also examined to provide a complete context.

This volume is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and engineers engaged in aerospace engineering, space safety, and orbital operations, offering both foundational theories and advanced methodologies.

Autorentext

Jingrui Zhang is a Full Professor and Director of the Distributed Spacecraft Systems and Technology Laboratory at Beijing Institute of Technology. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and served as Guest Editor for Acta Astronautica (2018). Currently, she holds editorial roles with Transactions of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences and Space: Science and Technology. Her accolades include the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2018), the "863 Plan" Star of Innovation Award (2016), and the National Excellent Science and Technology Workers Award (2014). Her research spans spacecraft dynamics, attitude control, vibration suppression, and intelligent guidance and navigation, with applications in on-orbit service and space debris management.

Lincheng Li is an assistant professor and distinguished postdoctoral fellow at Beihang University. He was selected for national talent programs including the CAST Young Elite Program and serves as Secretary-General of an international aerospace cooperation base in Beijing. His research focuses on spacecraft on-orbit servicing dynamics, intelligent control, and multi-physics system modeling. He has published 23 SCI/EI papers, holds 14 invention patents (plus 2 international), and co-authored two academic books selected by China's National Publication Foundation. He has led ten research projects and received awards including the China Patent Excellence Award (2024) and S&T Progress Award (2020).

Keying Yang is an assistant professor at the School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on post-mission disposal dynamics and space debris removal. She is a CAST Young Talent awardee and the author of An Introduction to Space Debris, a monograph selected for China's key publication plan. She has published over 20 papers, holds 10 invention patents, and has received honors including the Military S&T Progress Award and national innovation competition prizes.

Han Cai is an assistant professor at School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology. His areas of expertise are in space situational awareness, multi-target tracking, sensor tasking, information fusion, and orbit determination. He serves as a youth editorial board member for Space Sciences and Space: Science and Technology, and has published over ten peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals.