By Robyn Haigh
This week (4-10 October) we’ve been celebrating World Space Week,
with the theme of Space and Sustainability.
Space sustainability has become an increasingly important issue
as more satellites are launched into space. Satellites provide us
with vital services on Earth, such as GPS, disaster management
and carbon emission data, maritime navigation systems and much
more.
Without a more sustainable space environment, the services we
rely on in our daily lives are at risk.
Why isn’t the space environment sustainable?
On average, 990 satellites will be launched annually by 2028.
There are already 5,800 functional satellites and 2,600 defunct
satellites in orbit - our orbital highways are getting congested!
Other pieces of space debris are also causing issues. They can
vary in size, from large rocket bodies to tiny flecks of material
smaller than 1 cm.
In the graphic below you can see the different size and
estimations of space debris up in space. Small pieces of debris
can cause a real threat to our human endeavours in space, like
when the International Space
Station was hit and its robotic arm was damaged.
What is Astroscale doing to develop a sustainable space
economy?
If your car was broken down, you would not leave it on the
motorway: you would arrange for someone to move the car.
Abandoned vehicles lead to congested roads, frantic collision
avoidance and ultimately crashes that spread dangerous debris all
over the road.
For the same reason cars are removed from the roads, satellites
should be also – what goes up, should come down.
At Astroscale we are the leading company developing in-orbiting
servicing across all orbits, from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to
Geostationary Orbit (GEO). We believe removing debris and
servicing satellites will secure services on Earth and economic
gain that will benefit us all now and in the future.
Our servicers
We recently performed a number of successful operations for our
ELSA-d mission (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale –
demonstration).
This demonstration tested some of the technologies and
capabilities necessary to launch a full-service debris removal
business.
To build on the learning from ELSA-d, the UK team is partnering
with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency to
develop ELSA-M - M standing for
Multiple, our state-of-the-art servicer that is designed to
capture and de-orbit three or four satellites in a single
mission.
ELSA-M is set to launch by the end of 2024, with plans to launch
an end-to-end removal service for constellation operators
thereafter - keep an eye out for more news!
Active Debris Removal
We were also very excited to recently announce working on a
UK Active Debris Removal
(ADR) mission in partnership with the UK Space Agency.
COSMIC - which stands for the Cleaning Outer Space Mission
through Innovative Capture - is developing plans to remove two
UK-registered defunct satellites from space by 2026.
The Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) is also championing space
sustainability technology programmes and last year renewed a
Memorandum of Cooperation
with the UK Space Agency.
JAXA is investing in an Active Debris Removal inspection mission,
ADRAS-J, which
Astroscale’s team based in Tokyo will launch in 2023 to
characterise an upper rocket body, acquire and deliver movement
observational data to better understand the debris environment.
Astroscale Docking Plate – a toe hook for
satellites
Another way we’re creating a safer space environment is through
our docking plate (DP).
The DP can be integrated onto satellites to prepare them for
future removal or servicing, such as refuelling, refurbishments
and relocation.
This lightweight, universal fitment is low in cost and designed
to support satellite operators to demonstrate responsible space
practice and alignment with international best practice.There is
an opportunity for satellite servicing and debris removal to
catalyse future innovations in the assembly of very large
structures, and manufacturing products such as generating
renewable energy in space.
The space community must rapidly develop the technology, enhance
and implement the policy and regulatory norms, and invest in the
in-orbit servicing economy in the UK, together with our
international partners.
In-orbit servicing will need to become part of routine satellite
operations by 2030 for us to effectively safeguard our orbital
environment. Actions must be taken now: for the benefit of
future generations.
Find out more about Astroscale.
Robyn Haigh is the Marketing and Communications Executive at
Astroscale.
