Search

10 results found
A Consumable-less Propulsion System Based on a Bare-Photovoltaic Tether

As proved in several missions, the Lorentz force acting on the electric current carried by a space electrodynamic tether (EDT) can be used to propel spacecraft without using propellant. State-of-the-art EDTs involve a bare tape for passive electron collection (anodic contact) and an active device, or a tether segment coated with a low-work-function material, for electron emission (cathodic contact).

Spain

ETD 2021-04

Universidad Carlos III...
Removal of the VESPA upper part

The objective of the Landmark ClearSpace-1 mission will be to demonstrate the complete value chain of active debris removal by removing an ESA-owned object (a VESPA upper part orbiting at an altitude of 500 km) by 2025.

Switzerland

19-D-S-TEC-03

ClearSpace
Game theoretic analysis of space debris removal dilemma

The increase of space debris means that active space debris removal is becoming more relevant. An active debris removal mission would have a positive effect (or risk reduction) for all satellites in the same orbital band. This leads to a dilemma: each space agency has an incentive to delay its actions and wait for others to respond. We model this scenario as a non-cooperative game between self-interested agents in which the agents are space agencies.

UK

15R01

University of Liverpool
Feasibility study of Active Debris Mitigation for Mega Constellations

The Thales Alenia Space study team completed a 13 month contract to study the feasibility of Active Debris Removal within mega-constellations. Within the Clean Space initiative, ESA searches for proactive answers to the environmental challenges which are faced both on Earth and in space. The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) has already highlighted the important topic of mega-constellations, which represent a step change in the future space environment due to the proliferation of small satellites.

France

15/099

Thales Alenia Space
Investigation of Active Detumbling Solutions for Debris Removal

The main objective of this study 'DETUMBLING – Investigation of Active Detumbling Solutions for Debris Removal' was to propose and investigate a contact-based de-tumbling strategy using a robotic arm. Realistic models were developed for the chaser with robotic-arm, target and composite systems. Specific GNC strategies were developed for the different phases of the mission: robotic-arm deployment synchronisation with the target de-tumbling the composite.

Spain

13-054

GMV
High performance avionics solution for advanced and complex GNC systems (HIPNOS)

The objective of this document is the presentation of the final synthesis of the activity “HIPNOS”, Development of a representative HW/SW solution for a high-performance processing platform for Active Debris Removal missions. Implement COTS-based solution as Demonstration of the activity.
HIPNOS includes trade-off study of processing technologies, processing space-grade and COTS devices, processing architectures, trade-off for computer vision algorithms, and demonstrator of the selected solution.
The scope and objectives of the activity are:

Spain

13-121

GMV
Design for Removal: How to design S/C to support active debris removal if uncontrolled

The population of non-operational objects in the space environment is raising, increasing concern about the safety of operations for current and future space activities. In this respect, space agencies and in particular ESA with its ESA/ADMIN/IPOL (2014) have established policies to mitigate space debris creation. Please refer to the compendium of space debris mitigation standards adopted by states and international organizations, [RD.5], for additional information. This basically implies that satellites in LEO and GEO shall perform an End Of Life (EOL) disposal with a reliability of 90%.

Spain

15/705-a

GMV
Design for Removal: How to design S/C to support active debris removal if uncontrolled

In the future, satellites will have to demonstrate compliance with debris mitigation requirements, covering re-entry or parking graveyard orbits and passivation. Nevertheless, during the mission, a failure could occur without any possibility to manoeuvre the satellite and achieving its compliance to the Space Debris Mitigation requirements. Therefore to anticipate the need to use ADR for deorbiting (or reorbiting) the satellite, it is interesting to evaluate the implication of adapting the satellites and launcher upper stage to support a future ADR mission.

Italy

15/705-b

Thales Alenia Space
Assessment of onboard DA state estimation for spacecraft relative navigation

The goal of this study is two-fold. First, to identify and develop a DA- based high-order filter for relative pose estimation. The application considered is the rendezvous with an uncooperative target, modelled after ESA's e.deorbit mission. Secondly, the DA algorithms are implemented on hardware mimicking the limited computational power available in space. The resulting implementation is tested in a processor in the loop (PIL) test-bench using the approach phase of the chaser to the uncooperative target to be estimated.

Italy

16/R03

POLITECNICO DI MILANO
Innovative service oriented approach to the procurement and development of an active debris removal demonstration mission

The overall rationale for such a study has been driven by two factors. Firstly the unexpected on-orbit failure of the Envisat mission in 2012, has now created a specific and immediate ‘debris problem’ for ESA. Secondly, the number of and density of damaging space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is predicted to rise in the future, which has the potential to negatively constrain future space operations for all operators and users.

UK

2013-3

Surrey Satellite...

Filter by programme:

Filter by start year:

Filter by end year:

Filter by keywords:

Filter by contractor:

Filter by country:

Filter by application domain:

Filter by competence domain:

Filter by technology domain:

Filter by status: