ClearSpace-1 Mission is part of ESA’s active debris removal/in-orbit servicing programme. Its objective is to rendezvous, capture and de-orbit a VESPA upper stage. The technology developed in this mission will set the ground for a recurrent commercial service for removal of space debris, as well as other in-orbit servicing capabilities.
Deimos is the full responsible for the GNC subsystem,...
e.Inspector ESA mission is focused on performing close proximity maneuvering around a debris (nominally a VESPA adapter) to get VIS-IR images of the target and support its status, shape, dynamics reconstruction in aid of capture and removal. The mission, currently in its phase B, is largely focused on designing, implementing and breadboarding the VIS-IR imaging chain, exploited on board for...
Since the beginning of the space era, the number of debris generated in low Earth orbit (LEO) has been increasing. ESA statistics show there are an estimated 130 million objects in the 1 mm to 1 cm size classed as lethal non-trackable debris (with the potential to damage key infrastructure) and more than 2,700 non-functioning satellites. Analysis has shown that stabilising the space debris...
In the last years GMV, in collaboration with AVS and under ESA contracts, has been, and is still, designing and developing multiple technologies for ADR. Among those MICE, currently under validation phase, and CAT, currently in BreadBoard phase.
In line with the ESA strategy of zero-debris, goal of CAT-IOD is to perform an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) of an Active Debris Removal (ADR)...
As a response to the increasing market need for In-Orbit Services, D-Orbit is developing an offer able to provide AOCS takeover and relocation of satellites, particularly in geostationary orbit. D-Orbit has analysed several alternatives for a system that can tackle such market segment. Considerations on the design choices advanced by established and emerging competitors, the variability in...
Growing congestion and increasing collision risk in low Earth orbit call for the development of a more circular space economy. Ensuring orbits can be safely used now and in the future requires the availability of in-orbit services to remove legacy derelict objects and better manage the end-of-life of satellites. The ability to service spacecraft, to refuel, repair, upgrade, repurpose, and...
Space traffic is growing rapidly, and with it, the need for in-orbit servicing (IOS) solutions. Large constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO) are providing essential services, but are also increasing the number of objects, and therefore de-bris, in space and the risk of key orbits becoming unusable. Strategic and proactive approaches to safeguarding our space environment for future generations...
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...
EROSS IOD (European Robotic Orbital Support Services - In Orbit Demonstration) is an EU-funded project within the Horizon Europe programme, aiming at demonstrating in orbit the European solutions for the Servicers and the Serviced LEO/GEO satellites, enabling a large range of efficient and safe orbital support services. EROSS IOD will showcase a mission design that will provide both life...
The Orbit Fab Podracer mission, focused on rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) in a sun-synchronous orbit, is the next step towards the first commercial satellite refueling. Refueling is one of the building blocks of a circular economy in space. The mission is an opportunity to promote sustainable in-space operations, and engage in open dialogue in on-orbit servicing. The mission,...
It is well-known that nowadays economy and society are highly dependent on the use of space and space applications: climate monitoring, weather forecast, transportation, communications, financial exchanges, etc. It is also known that, since the beginning of the space era the number of objects in orbit has continuously increased, with the orbital debris (abandoned stages, fragments from...
We will present the preliminary results of the ESA study "Verification and Validation of Rendezvous and CPO Safety", namely the derivation of CPO guidelines for cooperative and non-cooperative clients (starting from the critical review of the ESA CPO guidelines Issue2.0), and the subsequent definition of the V&V approaches, methodologies and numerical tools corresponding to each guideline.
As humanity expands its presence in space, the challenges posed by space debris and the need for in-orbit servicing become increasingly pressing. While we venture into these frontiers, it is essential to address the ethical considerations associated with these prospective and immerging missions. In this talk, Jane Davies (MSc) will explore the importance of ethics in mission implementation for...
Orbit Fab is developing an orbital infrastructure of space vehicles to serve as the in-orbit propellant supply chain. The RAFTI open license service valve acts as a drop-in replacement for fill and drain valves which enable ground fuelling as well as in space refuelling services to customers who embark the valve on their platforms. Customers are able to equip their platforms for refuelling...
Despite the drastic launch cost reductions in the last 20 years and the various attempts to design multifunctional docking and refueling interfaces in US and Europe, Satellite Operators industry does not seem interested in adopting a particular coupling. A simple coupling is proposed, for a second time (as per AIAA 2006-5660), based on an adapter, applicable to existing fill & drain valves.
The growth of space industry is unprecedented in recent times. Each year more satellites occupy Earth’s orbit, providing services such as telecommunication, imagining and navigation. The rapid expansion of space industry resulted in increase of hazards connected with space debris. The defunct man-made objects exceed the number of functional satellites and constitute a risk of collision to...
Space exploration and exploitation depend on the development of in-orbit robotic capabilities for tasks such as servicing satellites, removing orbital debris and its recycling, or construction and maintenance of orbital assets. Manipulation and capture of objects in orbit are key enablers for these capabilities. Using today's single space manipulator systems with low autonomy and universality...
With the support of ESA and National administrations, Europe is developing its capability to deploy and operate infrastructure covering a large range of in-orbit services, from deorbiting and satellite life extension solutions to the in-orbit replacement of damaged subsystems. As one of the leading operations and ground segment providers in Europe, Telespazio are extending their ground...
Autonomous spacecraft proximity operation is demanded to achieve future missions, such as in-orbit servicing, active debris removal, object inspection and in-orbit assembly. The relative navigation is one of the factors which affect the overall performance and reliability of the rendezvous. Generally, the relative navigation sensors such as cameras with image processing or LiDAR are used to...
In recent years, interest towards in-orbit servicing (IOS) and active debris removal (ADR) has been increasing rapidly, thus resulting in increased technology demonstration and commercial orbital-servicing missions. Future IOS and ADR missions are expected to be more autonomous, and sensor perception is critical to gain knowledge and information about the target, especially if the target is...
In the context of in-orbit servicing, the implementation of a space-servicing vehicle necessitates a specific level of autonomic decision-making capabilities. This requirement becomes particularly crucial when dealing with active debris removal of defunct satellites that exhibit uncooperative behaviour during the removal process, potentially also displaying unpredictable attitude behaviour. To...
LMO is a Luxembourg based company involved in the development of vision-based navigation technologies for close proximity operations, with a focus in modern algorithms, their embedding in space-capable state-of-the-art electronics and their interaction with the spacecraft GNC system. Progress has been made through three main streams covering the development, implementation and validation in...
MDA UK together with City University of London (CUL) is developing VIRGO (Visible and InfraRed Guidance Optics), this is a multispectral camera solution which combines two spectral bands, thermal infrared (TIR) and visible (VIS), with complementary sensitivities and capabilities, into a single architecture design. Furthermore, this solution comprises algorithms for sensors data fusion and pose...
With easier access to space and the arrival of new players, the number of satellites is increasing sharply. From the 2000s to the 2020s, the annual number of objects launched into space rose from a hundred per year to more than a thousand. In the same time, the risk of collision between active satellites and inactive objects and space debris has become more tangible and is monitored daily....
The Space Rider program, part of the space transportation systems of the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to reach a step-further into Europe’s space access capabilities by developing an uncrewed, automated, and reusable spaceplane capable of carrying out multiple missions to and from low Earth orbit (LEO).
The primary scope of this presentation is to focus on possible...
In recent years, the escalating space debris problem and the finite nature of our resources have spurred a critical need to reevaluate our approach to satellite missions and operations. To address these challenges and foster a more sustainable space ecosystem, the concept of a circular economy on orbit has emerged. This presentation will delve into the key aspects of this paradigm shift,...
On-orbit refueling (OOR) is growing into a major building block of the hustling space economy. OOR finds application in GEO, LEO and cis-Lunar orbits.MEV-1 and MEV-2 were ground breaking demonstrations, which have validated the use-case of satellite life extension and garnered interest from the satellite asset owners and operators. Though, different methods of life-extension are possible,...
Introduction
IOANT is an on-going activity supported by the European Space Agency aimed at the development of a versatile autonomous GNC system for in-orbit assembly (IOA) of large antennas.
The target is to advance the Technology Readiness Level of several key GNC technologies to 4. To reach this, the activity is structured into two phases:
Phase 1 consists in the definition of a...
To allow a zero-waste circular economy in space, technologies to turn heterogeneous metal-rich waste streams into new usable products in situ must be developed. While recycling space debris is one target application, such a system can also be used to process byproducts from space resources utilization. Such byproducts are for example generated by the molten salt electrolysis (MSE) process...
The success of active debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions relies on key enabling technologies to overcome historical challenges. The most significant capability of non-cooperative rendezvous and docking has to become a turnkey solution, an add-on for small, agile platforms and not only available for massive, expensive satellites. Infinite Orbits is developing a multimodal RdV GNC...
This presentation is to present our current findings on how a circular economy can be extended to outer space. We take a look at other industries and identify the requirements of circular material flows in space. We then describe a case study for a typical spacecraft and outline a process to change from linear to circular perspective, and to servicing, reuse, and remanufacturing in space.
I...
Infinite Orbits (IO) is building two types of in-orbit servicers - namely OrbitGuard (OG) and Endurance. Both are developed to serve customers in GEO orbit. OG-1 was launched in May 2023 and shall demonstrate in-situ SSA capabilities and ability to maneuver around the GEO orbit as and when required to track various RSO's. Endurance shall have the capability to dock with a target satellite and...
From In-Orbit Servicing, Clean Space, Planetary Landing (Moon Based Infrastructure) up to Rovers Planetary Exploration will need LIDAR sensors due to it provides essential information to the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) System. .
The recent developments of new technologies led by the automotive market has enhanced small formats of Imaging LIDAR sensors.
In the framework of an...
The growing number of space debris in the low earth orbit poses a danger to manned and uncrewed missions. Additionally, the new business model of providing internet from space is emerging among new space players, making low earth orbit more crowded. Research shows that most of the debris in low earth orbit is caused by spacecraft. Hence, a sustainable approach to running space operations is...
