Speaker
Description
The increasing use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has led the European Space Agency (ESA) to elaborate a Zero Debris (ZD) strategy, targeting full applicability by 2030. This strategy drives the study and the evolution of CubeSat Platforms capable of ensuring compliance with future debris mitigation requirements while maintaining technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness. In the framework of ESA’s SYSNOVA initiative, the CLEANCUBE program targets the development of a Platform design compliant with the ESA Space Debris Mitigation (ESSB-ST-U-007) and Zero Debris (ZD) Requirements, and the verification of the Platform capabilities through the implementation of an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission.
The technical objectives identified for the ZD CubeSat platform cover satellite capability of performing a reliable end-of-life disposal, ensuring effective passivation to prevent unintentional breakups, which could contribute to the generation of small debris in LEO. Moreover, the objectives include health monitoring and fault management systems and the definition of a robust Collision Avoidance Maneuvers (CAM) strategy minimizing the probability of in-orbit collisions. Added value to the mission is provided by the integration of a Space Debris Detector, studied to complement the existing debris population models through the detection of catalogued and not yet catalogued objects.
The program is executed by a fully Italian Consortium led by Tyvak International, covering the role of Prime Contractor, project coordinator, and responsible of leading Platform design, and future mission implementation. The Consortium includes AIKO, expert in providing space and ground-based solutions enhancing on-board autonomy and space system health monitoring, and the Università di Torino (UNITO), responsible for the design and development of the miniaturized Debris Detector.
The proposed concept for CLEANCUBE IOD mission foresees the design of a 12U CubeSat Platform (extendable up to 16U form factor), targeting a launch by the end of 2027 via rideshare opportunity. The baselined Concept of Operations foresees the execution of hosted Payload activity during the nominal operation phase, to complete on-board passivation of critical subsystems, ensuring a de-orbiting from the LEO protected region within 5 years.
At current stage, the CLEANCUBE satellite conceptual design under study foresees the onboarding of the AIKO orbital_OLIVER module, the integration of the Debris Detector developed by UNITO, and the adoption of a flight proven cold gas Propulsion system developed by Tyvak International and T4I. This latter will enable the Collision Avoidance Maneuvers (CAMs) capability and the demonstration of a reliable and fault tolerant passivation. CLEANCUBE in-orbit operation will be supported by a mission Ground Segment composed by a third-part surveillance segment, Tyvak Ground Station Network, an Tyvak Mission Control Center located in Turin. The MCC capabilities will be enhanced by the integration of AIKO gifted_GENE, supporting the Tyvak operations team in the anomaly prognostic detection during the entire operative phase.
In conclusion, the CLEANCUBE program targets the conceptual design consolidation of an innovative CubeSat Platform solution, compatible with Debris Mitigation Requirements, and adaptable in future mission frameworks. Within the project, an IOD mission is developed aiming at verifying the Platform capabilities and the mission compliance with the future Zero Debris requirements.