Simplified models for spacecraft vulnerability assessments in early design phase

The space debris environment poses an ever-increasing risk to spacecraft particularly in low Earth orbits (LEO). Due to limitations of existing vulnerability models, increasing the overall survivability of a spacecraft by enhancing the protection of sensitive parts was not possible in the past. The aim of this study was to adopt and develop methodologies that allow increasing the survivability of a spacecraft by varying individual parameters, e.g. the position of sensitive components or the thickness of component casings. This tool was designed for use in the ESA Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) to support a robust design against space debris in early design phases.