Speaker
Description
As the realm of space exploration continues to progress, the need to ensure the secure and sustainable operation of spacecraft during end-of-life re-entry has become increasingly critical. To meet this challenge, aerospace engineers are employing specific methodologies and tools for meticulous analysis. Among these tools, the Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis (DRAMA) has emerged as an indispensable resource for assessing risks associated with re-entry and designing spacecraft to comply with the stringent space debris requirements set forth by the European Space Agency (ESA). DRAMA offers a suite of software tools, particularly for end-of-life analysis, the Survival And Risk Analysis (SARA) module, tailored to evaluate a spacecraft's survivability during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and assess its risk on ground.
Within this framework, DEIMOS Space was responsible for the SESAM (Spacecraft Entry Survival Analysis Module), part of DRAMA’s SARA module, being subcontractor of HTG under an ESA contract. This intricate analysis demands the integration of multiple disciplines, encompassing entry dynamics, aerothermodynamics, thermo-mechanical load evaluation, deformation, and fragmentation processes. Precise modelling of these phenomena, alongside meticulous consideration of object properties such as geometry, mass distribution, and materials, is critical in accurately predicting the risks associated with re-entry. The true essence of achieving remarkable results lies in the users' extensive experience and mastery which elevates DRAMA’s potential.
This paper underscores the significance of adhering to ESA's space debris requirements and also highlights the pivotal role that the DRAMA tool plays in achieving this objective. It presents several noteworthy projects where DRAMA was employed to conduct re-entry and risk analyses, subsequently applying Design for Demise (D4D) techniques to minimize on-ground casualty risk. Moreover, the paper offers a comprehensive overview of the significance of D4D solutions in end-of-life simulations and highlights how the DRAMA tool substantially enhances the safety and sustainability of space exploration. By harnessing the potential of DRAMA and D4D techniques, aerospace engineers can confidently ensure spacecraft's safe operation throughout their lifecycle, thereby reducing environmental impact and safeguarding both human lives and property on the ground.
Keywords: re-entry, risk, debris, design for demise.
