Speakers
Description
As the European space sector moves toward the Zero Debris ambition, understanding the implications of new debris mitigation requirements on future platforms is an essential step toward defining practical implementation strategies.
In light of this framework, the present work outlines the outcomes of Phase 1 of the Zero Debris Study, performed for ESA by Thales Alenia Space, with the objective of assessing the impact of ESA’s proposed Zero Debris requirements on large LEO platforms.
Three large LEO platforms currently used in Thales Alenia Space programmes were chosen as the objects of the study. Phase 1 activities focused on evaluating system and subsystem level feasible compliance paths, identifying the main technical drivers for further consolidation activities, and assessing the most critical contributors to ground causality risk through probabilistic re-entry analyses. In parallel, trade-off studies were carried out to investigate modular implementation options for controlled re-entry and demisability, considering their impact on platform architecture, performance, and integration. Additional activities addressed platform vulnerability to micro-meteoroids and orbital debris, providing an initial characterization of platform exposure and criticalities at equipment and system level. Furthermore, advanced health monitoring approaches were investigated, including the potential use of AI/ML-based prognostics to support earlier anomaly detection, degradation tracking, and improved end-of-life decision making.
Overall, Phase 1 established the technical basis for Phase 2 by identifying key design sensitivities, enabling technologies, and priority areas for further development toward the progressive implementation of Zero Debris requirements on future large LEO platforms.