Speaker
Description
With the recent awareness of the space sector on the fragile near-Earth space region and the forecast of the booming number of satellited objects, various mitigation approaches are currently evaluated and start to be implemented to limit the impact of space activities and achieve a safe and sustainable space environment.
The re-entry of spacecraft into the Earth’s atmosphere can contain fragments which are able to survive the loads and heat experienced during re-entry into the atmosphere.
Numerous studies and projects have been performed in the past in order to gain better understanding of re-entry processes and to assure that more spacecraft fragments demise during re-entry manoeuvres.
From recent simulation activities under ESA contracts, the list of potential S/C critical objects identified Star-trackers optics and electronics, as equipment of interest. Therefore the objective of this Demise for Demise activity is to enhance the knowledge on the demise of optical and electronic equipment of satellite platforms in order to establish validated re-entry models.
Plasma wind tunnel test campaign with dynamic set-up has been performed in order to better assess fragmentation and behaviour of the aforementioned components.
The activity will aid in improving the modelling and simulation of spacecraft component demise behaviour, and further industries understanding and capabilities in more sustainable spacecraft design.
