Speaker
Description
Following a pre-phase A study to assess the feasibility of CubeSats being compliant to various space debris mitigation requirements, ISISPACE is engaging into the Phase A work for a proposed a 12U IOD/IOV CubeSat mission “CleanCube”. The project is part of ESA’s Zero Debris initiatives to demonstrate the technologies that can provide compliance to stricter space debris mitigation requirements. To ensure a wide applicability of the solution, a consolidated set of requirements was created by incorporating the currently applicable ESA Space Debris Mitigation Requirements, the French Law, FCC, ISO Standard as well as a foreseen future evolution of requirements. The emphasis of this study is placed on addressing the gaps in current CubeSat designs in terms of space debris management. This concept actively addresses them, challenging the common approach of a passive compliance enforcement. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of the CubeSats niche outside of the low range of LEO, ensuring the survivability of the downscaled technologies. This study will demonstrate the feasibility for early identification, refined space situational awareness, improved system reliance & health monitoring, high reliability in active collision avoidance maneuvers and passivation as well as end-of-life concerns. Additionally, the mitigations towards dark and quite skies will be addressed. The mission will host a set of primary payloads for space debris mitigation purposes as well as secondary payloads which will be funder through other paths.