Projects per year
Abstract
An increasing number of objects are being launched into low-Earth orbit. Consequently, to avoid the possibility of future in-orbit collisions space object removal techniques are receiving attention. As one of the most developed techniques, drag augmentation is increasingly being considered as an option for end-of-mission removal of objects from low-Earth orbit. This paper highlights a common misconception around drag augmentation: although it can be used to reduce de-orbit time, when used inappropriately it can increase the volume swept by an object and, thus, increase the occurrence risk of collision with another space object. Knowingly ignoring this increased risk of collisions could leave spacecraft operators, and consequently their responsible state party, open to liability risk. By investigating the volume swept and de-orbit lifetime, a strategy of delayed deployment is proposed as a compromise between reducing volume swept and time to de-orbit. However, this increases system complexity and, likely, cost.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Astrodynamics |
Early online date | 2 Dec 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 2 Dec 2020 |
Keywords
- drag augmentation
- volume
- area time product
- space debris
- liability
- learned hand formula
- calculus of negligence
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Projects
- 1 Finished
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TeSeR: Technology for Self Removal of Spacecraft (H2020 LEIT SPACE)
Macdonald, M., Biggs, J. & Vasile, M.
European Commission - Horizon 2020
1/02/16 → 31/01/19
Project: Research