A simplified approach to determine the impact on a space-debris object (a target) from the ion thruster of
a spacecraft (a shepherd), which was proposed before in the context the ion beam shepherd technology for space debris
removal, was considered. This simplified approach is based on the assumption of the validity of the self-similar model
of the plasma distribution in the thruster plume. A method for the calculation of the force impact using the information
about the contour of the central projection of the object on a plane, which is perpendicular to the ion beam axis, was
proposed within the framework of this model. The errors of this method, including the errors caused by an inaccuracy
of its realization, are analyzed. The results of the analysis justify the admissibility of the application of the specified
approach within the self-similar model of the plasma distribution. The preliminary conclusion has been made that this
simplified approach can be used to control the relative m