ESA's Mission: Eliminating Space Debris from CubeSats
The growing concern of space debris demands urgent action. ESA's ambitious goal of achieving 'net zero pollution' in space by 2030 is a challenging endeavor, especially when it comes to CubeSats. These small, versatile satellites are gaining popularity, but their impact on space debris is a complex issue.
The CleanCube campaign, funded by ESA's Basic Activities, has taken a significant step towards addressing this challenge. Six pre-Phase A mission studies were conducted to tackle the technical hurdles of making CubeSats compliant with the Zero Debris charter.
But here's where it gets tricky: CubeSats have traditionally relied on low-altitude orbits and passive deorbiting to meet orbital clearance rules. However, evolving regulations and the need for active deorbiting with a 90% success rate complicate matters. This is further exacerbated by the requirement for reliable passivation, improved health monitoring, and collision avoidance.
The campaign explored innovative solutions, such as:
- The SHIELD satellite: Utilizing AI for enhanced autonomy, health monitoring, and in-orbit debris collision risk assessment, with an advanced debris detector for improved space surveillance.
- Charon by Aurora Propulsion: A self-sufficient deorbiting system featuring a Plasma Brake, ensuring functionality even if the satellite fails, thanks to its independent power source and 'watchdog' system.
- SpaceKeepers mission: Aiming to reduce satellite brightness, test electric propulsion for disposal, and improve object location with a novel Space Locator Beacon.
- ION-X's collision avoidance: Employing AI and a unique electrical thruster for low-thrust maneuvers, avoiding collisions and enabling controlled deorbit.
- TidyCube: Demonstrating collision avoidance, passivation, and end-of-life disposal, with a focus on meeting stricter debris mitigation standards.
- Stellar Space Industries' VLEO mission: Proving the advantages of Very Low Earth Orbits for high-performance payloads, utilizing an airbreathing electric propulsion system.
On June 16, the teams gathered at ESTEC in the Netherlands to share their findings. The event fostered collaboration and showcased the rapid progress made in just four months. Sibyl-Anna de Courson, the campaign manager, was impressed by the diverse solutions, which addressed all aspects of the Zero Debris challenge.
And this is the part that matters most: The CleanCube campaign has provided tangible solutions, but the journey doesn't end here. ESA Clean Space has taken the initiative further by launching an open
