Speaker
Description
In recent years, the issue of space debris has become a growing concern for the global space community. Currently, there are more than 9,000 tons of space debris orbiting Earth, posing significant challenges to future space missions. As space activities continue to increase, there is a pressing need for effective and sustainable debris mitigation and removal strategies. As the space industry advances and in-orbit manufacturing technologies mature, the possibility of recycling and repurposing space debris becomes ever more feasible. By leveraging the capabilities of In-Orbit Manufacturing (IOM), this space debris can be transformed into valuable resources for future exploration and infrastructure. With the same technology, parts of active spacecraft can be refurbished or replaced directly in orbit thanks to IOM together with an innovative robotic system capable of manipulating, mounting and dismounting hardware in the space environment.
This presentation explores the potential of utilizing IOM techniques and robotics to recycle old fairings, space stations, and large spacecraft, as well as extending the life or repairing faults on active satellites. This would open up a new era of sustainable space activities and it would be rendered possible by cooperation and interoperability between In-Orbit Servicer IOSHEX and the Space Rider platform.
The IOSHEX system, equipped with advanced capture, cut, and weld technologies, plays a pivotal role in efficiently extracting valuable materials from space debris. These recovered materials can serve as feedstock for the 3D printing capabilities integrated onboard the Space Rider. By processing scrap material into usable resources, we open up new possibilities for in-space manufacturing and infrastructure assembly.
Our collaborative approach aims to maximize the utilization of space debris, transforming it into essential building blocks for constructing new spacecraft components for refurbishment or even large structures, reducing the need for Earth-to-space transport and minimizing the environmental footprint of space missions. Moreover, through a closed-loop recycling process, we can further enhance the sustainability of space activities, significantly reducing the generation of new debris.
During the presentation, we will delve into the technical aspects of the IOSHEX system, showcasing its capabilities for efficiently capturing, processing, and delivering materials for 3D printing on the Space Rider. We will also discuss the advantages of utilizing in-space manufacturing techniques to produce complex and customized components, minimizing the reliance on Earth-based manufacturing and fostering greater autonomy for future space missions.
The presence of the Space Rider in the operative chain is crucial. Serving as an ideal host for the additive manufacturing machine utilized by IOSHEX, the Space Rider enables the efficient processing of materials extracted from space debris. The key advantage of the Space Rider lies in its capability to return safely to Earth, allowing for multiple instances of reuse of the manufacturing equipment in subsequent missions, fostering the sustainability aspect of the chain. Moreover, the Space Rider's safe reentry capacity opens up new possibilities for the recycling of space debris. This concept involves bringing salvaged debris containing rare materials back to Earth for use in various applications. This unique ability adds an extra dimension to the sustainability of space activities, contributing to the efficient utilization of resources and further reducing the environmental impact of space missions.
Other than the IOM capabilities and the advanced robotics, the cooperation between the two systems is another critical part of the concept presented. The ability of IOSHEX and Space Rider to interact, exchanging material and hardware in and out the cargo bay, is already a matter of study in a collaboration between SAB and ESA under the Future Launch Preparatory Programme (FLPP).
This collaborative effort showcases the potential of space agencies, private enterprises, and international organizations working together to address the pressing challenges posed by space debris, while also paving the way for a sustainable and thriving space industry. Together, Space Rider and IOSHEX demonstrate the promising future of in-orbit manufacturing and debris management, enabling us to unlock the full potential of space exploration and utilization.
