Mr Franco Ongaro, Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality will launch the 2018 Clean Space Industrial Days
Airbus has been developing a mission and chaser concept for capturing and deorbiting the defunct Envisat satellite with different partners in the frame of ESA studies (e.Deorbit Phases A and B1). In the last e.Deorbit study called ‘Consolidation Phase’ which aims at implementing findings from the intermediate SRR, Airbus along with their partners CBK, MDA, SENER and GMV was pursuing the...
This presentation will provide updates on the last results of the GreenSat study currently performed by Thales Alenia Space in France and Deloitte Sustainability. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Sentinel 3 mission has been carried out and the results investigated in order to identify the environmental hotspots of the Sentinel 3 mission. Based on these results, brainstorming sessions have...
The presentation will explain the "Tech for Space Care" initiative aiming to develop technological elements to ensure the sustainable use of space and the security of space operations in synergy with CleanSpace ESA activities
In a second part will focus on the update of the Overview of CNES activities related to the compliance of the satellites with FSOA in the 2017.
Abstract
The introduction of Space Debris Mitigation requirements at national, European and international level has to be taken into account in the platform design: as a consequence, Airbus has adapted the end of life strategies for its different LEO platforms in order to comply with the different SDM requirements.
Parallel to this, several technologies aiming to support the platform...
With the GreenSat project, ESA wants to evolve from an assessment of the environmental impact of an existing satellite mission to a significant reduction of the environmental impact through a redesign of this mission. During this presentation, the approach and the first results of this exercise for the PROBA-V mission will be shown.
PROBA (PRoject for On-Board Autonomy) is a family of small...
The EC FP7 RemoveDebris mission aims to be one of the world’s first Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions to demonstrate key technologies in-orbit in a cost-e_ective ambitious manner, including: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation, dragsail de-orbitation. The mission will utilise two CubeSats as artificial debris targets to demonstrate the technologies. In early 2018, the main...
The presentation will outline Thales Alenia Space’s vision to enhance the compliance of its LEO platform productline to the space debris mitigation requirements. A review of these requirements as well as the technical challenges they pose is addressed. The presentation then moves to illustrate existing strategies and ways to build upon these strategies to improve the current compliance status....
Since the beginning of the space era, a significant amount of debris has progressively been generated in space. In addition, the rise of large low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations mean in the near future, space populations could significantly increase in key orbits. Founded in 2013, ASTROSCALE’s mission is to secure long-term spaceflight safety, and to become a key provider of reliable and...
The increasing number of space debris has become problematic for the sustainment of space activities in Earth orbit. Several spacecraft breakups have been observed in the past and some of them are due to a battery breakup. In order to mitigate the risk to generate debris in the future, passivation of the spacecraft after end of mission is now required. One way to achieve passivation is to...
Today the application of Eco-Design can benefit business, users and society at the same time because it responds to a common interest in obtaining more efficient products in term of both, economic and environmental perspective.
Enhancing the current efforts made by the European space sector dealing with Ecodesign, ArianeGroup is carrying a Life Cycle Analysis of the future European launcher...
Since human started to send active satellites on the orbit they needed some energy source and means to store it. Since them there are thousands of active and inactive satellites flying on orbits around the Earth. In recent years most of the spacecrafts send in to space are equipped batteries made of lithium-ion 18650 cells. They have many advantages compare to older designs. Lithium-ion cells...
The “LCA Ground Segment” project (ESA Contract No. 4000123991/18/NL/GLC/as) aims to assess the environmental performances and the applicability of eco-design principles to Ground Segment through the elaboration of a specific methodology, the involvement of ground segment experts and the in depth evaluation of the most promising options.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardized...
In Orbit Services is a rising potential market, both in GEO and in LEO orbits, creating baseline technologies for active debris removal (ADR) missions. Life extension, repair and inspection, refueling and transport are a few of the ideas that have been mentioned. The business feasibility is reflected in the new Satellite Servicing Vehicle Concept within ESA‘s Clean Space Initiative.
Effective...
The announcement of mega-constellations reinforces the debris issue and the need for operators to address the problem of removal of failed spacecraft from orbit. Future satellites shall be compliant with Space Debris Mitigation requirements. In any case, failure before end-of-life could occur, endangering the capability for the satellites to respect those requirements, with increasing...
ARA-Atmospheric Re-entry Assessment is the TASinI-led study aimed at the investigation of the potential impacts on the atmosphere and climate, caused by gases and particles released during the re-entry of spacecrafts and rockets.
The study is divided into two phases:
- Phase 1, dedicated to the definition of the substances released in atmosphere during re-entry
- Phase 2, dedicated to the...
We have established and applied the software tool “PHILOS-SOPHIA” that enables a non-expert user to perform hydrocode simulations of hypervelocity collisions on orbit. It relies on high-fidelity hydrocode simulations, which is the best method for systematically studying the processes and effects of orbit fragmentations for a wide range of impact conditions and for complex space systems. Other...
Germanium is the semiconductor of choice for the production of high-efficient multi-junction space solar cells. Solar cells technology is, by nature, a large surface area semiconductor application and therefore Germanium is the most important semiconductor material, in weight, of all Space missions. Ge has been identified as one of the important environmental hotspots of space missions. This...
A screening program to test different forms of weld (EB, WAAM, FSW, OTIG, RFW) with a variety of materials (aluminium alloys, titanium alloys, stainless steel) against green propellants LMP-103S and Hydrogen Peroxide (HTP) has been undertaken to ascertain the compatibility and usability of the weld/material combinations for future propulsion systems. The results from the accelerated...
Polyurethanes (PUs) are versatile materials applicable across many industries namely for their excellent resilience and applicability in different forms: flexible and rigid; monolith and foam. In space industry they are used for instance in spacecraft as coating and potting materials for protection of electronic compounds and further in launchers as rigid foams for thermal insulation of...
When looking at the complex value chain of space systems, the obsolescence risk due to the use of critical raw materials (CRM) is a critical issue for the space industry and needs to be investigated and anticipated.
The European space sector needs to find ways to anticipate obsolescence risks related to CRM use and develop technological solutions that minimize those risks as early as possible...
The REACH requirements affect the European space sector to a great extent, both from a regulatory compliance and commercial perspective. The processes for Registration and in particular Authorisation of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), which aim at their substitution with suitable alternatives, pose continuous risks that have to be actively monitored and mitigated by the space industry...
Our idea addresses the two biggest problems of space activities: their extreme costs as well as space debris reduction. Beside comments and feedback from the audience, we were looking for research & industry partners who would be interested in working with us on this concept.
The challenge
Space debris is a serious issue. Although only few humans reached out into space, humanity polluted...
ESA has performed feasibility analysis on a proposed baseline GNC system during a CDF study to design a Space Servicing Vehicle. The main objective of the GNC design is to be able to serve multiple missions with minor adaptations. This is achieved by defining a common rendezvous and capture/docking strategy and sensor suite. Based on ATV experience and previous studies a common framework for...
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the systematic estimation and evaluation of environmental impacts over the life cycle of technical systems and provides the framework and data to support eco-design. ESA, as part of their eco-design initiative, in the last few years has initiated several projects for LCA data regarding materials, components, manufacturing processes, space propellants and...
Recent studies have highlighted reaction wheels as critical elements which are likely to survive re-entry and contribute to casualty risk. The major element of concern is the flywheel which is often constructed of stainless steel in larger reaction wheels, although the survival of the steel ball bearing unit due to its shielded location is also an issue. Baseline simulations with the SAM tool...
cosine Measurement Systems BV is developing visual and infrared optical systems ranging from 0.4 to 14 µm suitable for relative navigation, on-orbit servicing and debris removal. We report on the development status including ongoing and planned In-Orbit Demonstrations of the technology, and tailored developments of three vision-based sensor systems for the I3DS suite: a stereo camera system in...
In 2017 the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPUOS) reached a consensus on the first set of sustainability guidelines for the space sector named the ‘Guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities’. These guidelines perfectly aligns with the mission of the European Space Agency’s Clean Space Initiative by pioneering an eco-friendly approach...
Design-for-demise (D4D) looks at technical solutions to reduce the casualty risk on ground of re-entering satellites and their components by promoting demise during atmospheric re-entry. Earlier studies have shown that the early release of the satellite structure will also help to improve the overall demise of the satellite. In order to understand betterbetter understand the behaviour of...
The CleanSpace One mission aims at de-orbiting EPFL’s CubeSat SwissCube. The motivation behind the CleanSpace One project is to increase international awareness and start mitigating the impact on the space environment by acting responsibly and removing our “debris” from orbit. SwissCube is on a polar type orbit at 710 km altitude, 98.3-degree inclination. Launch is planned around 2023.
To be...
The RVS® rendezvous & docking sensor technology has successfully served as operative LIDAR approach sensor on eigteen re-supply vehicle missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Drawing from the experience with this robust and reliable technology, the next generation time-of-flight scanning LIDAR sensors, RVS3000, has been developed and qualified by Jena-Optronik with the support of...
Extending life or repairing damaged on-orbit assets is not only a very attractive economic option for satellite operators as it could potentially increase margins for commercial services or increasing delivered value of scientific missions, but it would also help reducing the number of debris objects in space.
These types of servicing missions pose technical challenges never faced until now....
The “Space system Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) guidelines” (or ESA LCA Handbook) was developed by ESA with the goal of establishing methodological rules for performing space-specific LCAs. General rules for LCA are set in the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. However, these standards are not sector specific and leave many options open for the LCA practitioner to decide. To obtain comparable...
The space sector is a new area of development for Life Cycle Assessment studies. Considering guidelines for the evaluation of environmental impacts of space activities, several actors of or related to the European space industry, such as ArianeGroup and the European Space Agency, have identified Life Cycle Assessment (according to ISO14040/44) as the most appropriate methodology to measure and...
It is now well established that spacecraft manufacturers and launch
service providers have a duty of care to understand and mitigate the
ground casualty risk posed by their products such that this risk can be
demonstrably managed within acceptable levels. In order to achieve
this, an ability to determine the likely ground casualty risk that a
vehicle poses given its as-designed configuration...
In the e.Deorbit Consolidation Phase CBK PAN is responsible for development and validation of a cartesian force/torque compliant control of the robotic arm. This controller will be used during the clamping operation. The goal of the compliant control is to ensure that during the motion of the arm the forces and torques (especially acting on the gripper) will be kept within a certain limit and...
According to international safety guidelines the on-ground casualty risk of a re-entering object shall not exceed 1 in 10,000. The casualty expectancy can be reduced in two ways (1) by selecting a suitable impact area and population density within, or (2) by reducing the casualty area of the surviving fragment. Due to the high cost associated with a controlled re-entry the latter option has...
The evaluation of the environmental impact of a mission can be extended to consider not only aspects such as resources depletion and toxicity, but also its impact on the space environment and, in particular, the potential contribution of a mission to the creation of new space debris objects. The approach described in this work is based on a risk indicator that quantifies which is the...
In this abstract the final results on the ESA TRP study (ITT AO/1-8301) “demiseable Propellant Tanks Materials and Technologies” are presented.
The replacement of Titanium with an aluminium alloy is confirmed to be the most promising approach given the major impact in terms of tank demiseability. Based on the design trade-off, which was confirmed by the material testing performed, it was...
Nowadays, robotic spacecraft on orbit servicing or so called “Space Tug” capabilities are limited. This is mainly due to the relative poor availability of exteroceptive sensors for space navigation and the poor on-board processing resources preventing the design of ambitious autonomous systems.
Goal of the I3DS project is to fulfil this technology gap and realise a suite of perception...
Space debris is today a constant threat to all space activities. According to recent requirements and guidelines, operators of space missions have to ensure that space vehicles do not become space debris at the end of their mission. It becomes compelled to design all new space missions considering End of Life requirements in order to ensure a sustainable use of space orbits.
In addition to...
The object of this study is to further investigate the break-up processes of a reaction wheel during re-entry. The ball bearing unit (BBU) was already identified as a key element (demising late) during the demise process in previous studies. Potential design changes are analyzed with regards to the optimization of demisability. First simulations show that a reaction wheel with an aluminum...
An important application is seen in the collection and avoidance of space debris, up to active de-orbiting of LEO satellites which have failed or reached the end of their lifetime.
For active de-orbiting of unusable satellites, safe and reliable capture technologies have to be designed and developed. Clamping technologies are one of the building blocks of ADR missions, and an interesting...
In the course of the e.Deorbit Consolidation Phase study led by Airbus Defence & Space, SENER is responsible for the development of the clamping mechanism aimed to clamp and lock on the launch adapter ring of ENVISAT – the inactive ESA satellite. Afterwards, the mechanism has to sustain the main loads induced during the de-orbit phase.
One of the main goals of this phase was to select and...
In order to improve reduce ground casualty risk on ground, technical solutions need to be identified which promote atmospheric demise of the spacecraft and respective components. One approach is to enable the early opening of external structural elements in order to begin the demise of internal components earlier. Taking into consideration the results of testing of state-of-the-art joining...
Previous D4D studies at system level have clearly shown that, in order to reduce the risk posed by re-entering satellites, an integrated approach to design for demise is more efficient or, for large satellites, even required. Re-entry simulations demonstrated that solutions at component or equipment level might not be enough to effectively reduce the re-entry casualty risk, and that a...
ALTRAN Research Team created in 2013, initially intented to focus on space safety topics. Due to the emergence of space debris recommentations anad regulations for space industry, the research team initial activities adressed the flight and ground aspects (satellite robustness to micro-meteroids and orbital debris & trade-off between atmospheric controled reentry and design for...
As more and more man made space objects orbit around the Earth and crucial orbits are crowded with end-of-life objects. The use of deorbiting maneuvers is a solution to free crucial orbits from near end-of-life space objects by sending back on Earth while controlling the location of the reentry in order to minimize the risk for human populations. Yet, even during a controlled reentry, the...
In the frame of the French Space Operation Act (LOS) signed on 3rd June 2008, CNES is particularly interested by re-entries of space debris. CNES is indeed in charge of ensuring the right application of the law, for every mission launched or operated from the French territory. To predict the debris survivability during their re-entries and assess the prospective risk on ground, the development...
Historically, re-entry risk assessment has followed a process which defines the calculations required to be made. Recently, the limitations of this relatively simple process, with respect to both the physical phenomena and the attempts to specifically alter the design of spacecraft to promote demise, have become evident.
Significant recent progress has been made in the understanding of...
Spacecraft that survive their nominal mission lifetime are generally proposed for a mission extension in order to maximize their return on investment, to validate new technologies or to have a higher flexibility in the replenishment of a constellation.
However, a life extension has some limits and threats, especially when satellites units are operated well beyond their qualified lifetime: the...
Most medium and large LEO spacecraft will contain parts which are likely to survive a re-entry. When too many of such parts exist on any one satellite, this can pose a risk to humans on ground, above the regulatory threshold, and a controlled re-entry, with a well-defined impact footprint in an uninhabited area becomes necessary. However, this is implemented at a cost in complexity and mass...
With the growing number of satellites launched in Space, Agencies have implemented rules to remove satellites at their End-of-Life from space by themselves or actively with Active Debris Removal missions. However, this poses a new threat on Earth, with surviving parts after re-entry, and in space, as they can collide with other objects while decreasing their altitude. Complying with these...
An overview of the current status of Pre-Qualification of Aluminium-Free Solid Propellant is given in this presentation. Advantages of solid propulsion for satellite de-orbit are shown and proposed mission scenarios are the source of requirements of the system, motor and propellant itself. The first step in development of Solid Rocket Motor for deorbitation was made with elaboration of a...
One major source of new space debris are spacecraft that are not removed from orbit after the end of their operational lifetime. Many regulations (e.g. ISO 24113) require the removal of spacecraft at the end of operation - known as Post Mission Disposal (PMD) - with a compliance rate of 90% to ensure that spacecraft do not become a new source of space debris. An analysis performed by ESA shows...
Deorbiting a large spacecraft at the end-of life from LEO requires a robust system. For a defunct satellite, which cannot rely on its primary systems any further, a dedicated deorbiting package is preferred. Providing high thrust, a solid rocket motor can be a reliable controlled deorbiting method, which requires an equally dependable component for steering to the required trajectory.
Almatech...
In the last years D-Orbit has been involved in five major projects at European level on the topic of space debris.
Three projects were in the frame of the ESA'e Clean Space Initiative, while the other two were founded by the European Commission in the frame of the Horizon 2020 programme.
All those programmes are completed or about to be completed: these allowed D-Orbit to consistently...
The ADEO subsystem is a scalable drag augmentation device that uses the residual Earth atmosphere present in Low Earth Orbit applicable for passive de-orbit of satellites between 1 kg to 1000kg. For initiation of the de-orbit maneuver a large surface is deployed which multiplies the drag effective surface of the satellite. Thereby the drag force is increased as well causing accelerated decay...
ARTICA is a project started in 2015 with the aim to develop a ultra-compact passive deorbiting sail for cubesats. The scope was to parallely embrace the two antagonist aspects of the last decade: on one side the foreseen explosive growth of cubesat launches and on the other side the necessity to pose a limit to the consequent LEO orbit population and space debris generation.
ARTICA has been...
Solar and drag sailing have been proposed as passive end-of-life deorbiting methods, and technological demonstrators are under development. In the drag dominated regime the required area-to-mass-ratio for deorbiting a sail spacecraft is primarily dependant on the semi-major axis, growing exponentially with increasing altitude. In the solar radiation pressure dominated regime, the required...
Formalized and internationally supported space debris mitigation guidelines have been in place for several decades. Since 2010, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a comprehensive set of space system engineering standards aimed at mitigating space debris. These standards and guidelines reflect the common requirements and practices around the globe and are...
