LEO space debris mitigation using laser ablation

Since the first spacecraft was launched in 1957 a great number of spacecraft have been put into orbit and a significant fraction of these are still orbiting the Earth as inert vehicles or space debris. Major collision events between large satellites in Earth orbits have broken-up spacecraft systems for about half century; this has created a massive quantity of space junk – most of which are small particles. The number and quantity of debris items is increasing and as a result the probability of catastrophic collisions is growing progressively. Objects in space, whatever their size, are potentially hazardous and can cause considerable damage, which may disable a space system and producing numerous secondary fragments as a result. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) requires particular attention because this band contains large masses of material orbiting at high relative velocities, up to 14 km/s. At this hypervelocity, even small debris, 5-10 cm, can produce extensive damage to any operation satellite and destroy any small satellites. Collision with smaller debris, 1-5 cm, could disable any space system. Therefore, our space assets in LEO are threatened by this large quantity of space junk, which may lead to collision cascading in the future. Small orbital debris stays in LEO for a very long time (100s years) before re-entering the atmosphere, so it poses a great threat to any operational spacecraft. However, the debris lifetime can be reduced significantly by slowing the debris velocity slightly and lowering its perigee. This can be achieved by using the unique property of laser propulsion to generate thrust remotely on the orbital debris by beaming the necessary power from the ground. So, this paper assesses and simulates the engagement of laser beam pulses with space debris. It also calculates and simulates the required time and number of interactions for de-orbit and also simulates the required change in orbital velocity (∆V) of the debris to lower its altitude and cause it to change orbit and eventually fall into the upper atmosphere, where it will burn up. In conclusion, space debris mitigation is now essential to protect existing space systems and maintain the sustainable use of outer space. That is why the space debris problem is now a very significant environmental issue. As this technique does not require launching space vehicles, we believe that this clearing strategy is an achievable and cost effective method to deflect and mitigate the effect of space debris

Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

The purpose of national and international space debris mitigation guides is to promote the preservation of near-Earth space for applications and exploration missions far into the future. To accomplish this objective, the accumulation of objects, particularly in long-lived orbits, must be eliminated or curtailed

Space Debris Mitigation CONOPS Development

Space debris remains an unsolved hazard for space operators and astronomers alike. Passive debris mitigation techniques have been enumerated and codified by the UNCOPUOS and IADC and several proposals for actively mitigating space debris have been presented. However, the space debris problem requires reframing. On the way to developing a viable CONOPS, a multi-disciplinary construct for building solution sets to tackle the space debris problem must be created. It must be shaped by building blocks of active and passive debris mitigation techniques, debris characterization and law. Central considerations must be taken. First, targeting of space debris for removal must be prioritized to unite effort and to make significant reductions in the space debris threat. Next, a leading agent must be identified and empowered to act as an executor for a space debris mitigation program, passive or active. Also needed is enactment of enforcement measures to ensure space faring nations comply with binding regulations. Lastly, active space debris mitigation programs must be urged along by the international community with contributions from all nations. Aside from monetary contributions, aid can be rendered via intellectual space and manpower. We must seek the right questions to effectively solve the space debris problem

Recent Developments in Space Debris Mitigation Policy and Practices

In recent years, emphasis has shifted from national efforts to control the space debris population to international ones. Here, too, great progress has been made, most notably by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) of the United Nations. Today, a firm international consensus is rapidly building on the principal space debris mitigation measures. The IADC is an association of the space agencies of ten countries (China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Space Agency, representing 17 countries of which four (France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom) are also full IADC members. At the 17th meeting of the IADC in October 1999, a new Action Item (AI 17.2) was adopted to develop a set of consensus space debris mitigation guidelines. The purpose of the activity was to identify the most valuable space debris mitigation measures and to reach an international agreement on common directives. The IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (www.iadc-online.org/index.cgi?item=docs_pub) were formally adopted in October 2002 during the Second World Space Congress in Houston, Texas. Two years later a companion document, entitled Support to the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, was completed to provide background and clarification for the guidelines

Space Debris Mitigation: Enabling Future Endeavors

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Brooke K. Shellabarger on November 14, 2018

Current Issues in Orbital Debris

During the past two decades, great strides have been made in the international community regarding orbital debris mitigation. The majority of space-faring nations have reached a consensus on an initial set of orbital debris mitigation measures. Implementation of and compliance with the IADC and UN space debris mitigation guidelines should remain a high priority. Improvements of the IADC and UN space debris mitigation guidelines should continue as technical consensus permits. The remediation of the near-Earth space environment will require a significant and long-term undertaking

Space Debris Mitigation: Understanding the Business Case and Proposing Solutions

The overall mission of the Space Debris Mitigation: Understanding the Business Case and Proposing Solutions project is to investigate the pressing issue of space debris mitigation from a business perspective and how it will affect the U.S. commercial sector in the growing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) economy. Investigating and creating possible business cases for companies to reduce space debris of their own making; to find potential national solutions that support the business case; and to add to the growing conversation on space sustainability are a huge focus to the project. The U.S. Department of Defense is tracking over 20,000 artificial satellites — payloads, rocket bodies, and debris, where approximately 90 percent of these satellites are non- operational. With no mandates and the recent boom of the commercial sector, the amount of space debris in LEO is consistently rising. Our proposals for space debris mitigation can be broken down into the short and long term. In the short term, we propose a tax plan, similar to the carbon tax, where companies\u27 satellites will be taxed according to the volume of their debris until it is no longer in orbit. In the long term, we propose collision coverage in insurance utilizing the space sustainability rating where it will incentivize good behavior and can be used to determine premiums, offer discounts, and even refuse insurance for underperformers. Moving forward, we will have to incorporate foreseeable issues with our tax plan such as loopholes, tax avoidance, and NASA, as it is federally funded

Close Approaches of Debris to LARES Satellite During Its First Four Years of Operation

Since its launch in February 2012, the LAser RElativity Satellite (LARES) of the Italian Space Agency experienced four close approaches with space debris. LARES orbits at an altitude of 1450 km, in a region where the density of space debris has a peak. However, the probability of an impact with a debris during the operational life of the satellite was reasonably low. The analysis of the close approaches identified three of the objects, that are from two peculiar population of objects. This paper discusses the problem of space debris in low orbit, the approaches occurred with LARES, and some possible scenarios related to space regulations and space law in case of an impact

Space Debris Mitigation: A Unified Policy Framework

Space debris is a growing problem that impacts the ability to maneuver and conduct space missions, creates hazards for people on Earth, and has the potential for severe environmental damage. Clean-up efforts are not viable in the modern era due to a lack of viable, affordable, and safe technology conducive to such lines of effort. This leaves mitigative and preventative policy measures as the most effective way to proffer a solution to the problem. Public policy has largely failed to address space debris mitigation effectively due to the fragmentation of policies standards and a lack of horizontal integration of policies across levels of governance and multi-sector discoordination. As such, a unified policy framework that addresses space debris mitigation is extremely needed. The purpose of this study was to find the foundational elements of a unified policy, asking what are the shared standards, how are concepts operationalized, and who are the legitimized stakeholders. In this exploratory embedded single case study, stakeholder theory was used in conjunction with comparative analysis, descriptive coding, and emergent coding. In the analysis there were 17 total policies used from a variety of sources within eight participant entities. The key results included a unified framework for space debris mitigation through fine detail in response to the research questions. It was also concluded that spacecraft operators and the general public were not legitimized in present policies. Recommendations were made to create a more beneficial and inclusive policy framework for stakeholders. Impacts to positive social change are multiple, including the provision of a utilizable framework for future policy design

Drag augmentation systems for space debris mitigation

Space debris is recognised as a critical threat for the space industry. The proliferation of small satellites has invited commercialisation and subsequently, the growing number of satellites are adding to the already high number of objects currently in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Low-cost small satellites are under increasing pressure to meet debris mitigation guidelines and failure to comply could result in a launch licence being denied. Drag augmentation systems increase the drag area of a spacecraft, minimising the de-orbit period and thus reducing the probability of significant collisions and supporting the sustainable use of space. In response to the growing number of small satellites (10-500 kg) unable to de-orbit from low-Earth orbit within 25 years, Cranfield University has developed a family of drag augmentation systems (DAS). The DAS are lightweight, cost-effective sails deployed at end of mission and are reliable solutions for deorbiting small satellites, assisting in the conservation of the space environment. Three drag sails designed, manufactured and tested at Cranfield University are currently in orbit, with two sails already successfully deployed. This paper details the sails and will discuss findings from recent studies; examining the system’s scalability, the post-deployment vehicle dynamics, the medium-term impact of the sail on the satellite’s ability to conduct science and the long-term effect of the sail on the satellite’s re-entry and demise. The DAS technology have a strong enabling potential for future space activities, allowing satellites to operate responsibly and sustainably