![clean space tech clean space tech](https://our.clean.space/wp-content/themes/cleanspace_new/img/phones.png)
So since then, Discovery & Preparation has supported a large number of new studies to make progress in these areas.Ī particularly strong focus has been on finding the best way of capturing a large spacecraft, especially using a net or robotic arm. The study found that the success of such a mission would require substantial progress across multiple technology domains, such as capture mechanisms, guidance and navigation, image recognition and onboard processing. One initiator of this project was a Discovery & Preparation study carried out in 2013 that looked into how a debris-removal mission could be developed. Studies seeking to understand how de-orbiting a spacecraft would impact the amount of space debris, included predicting the likelihood of survival of different objects that travel through Earth’s atmosphere. One study looked into space debris risks related specifically to propulsion systems and another even explored how a spacecraft could deorbit itself if it fails and becomes uncontrollable. The MEGACO study sought to understand the complexity of mega-constellations, with a focus on collision avoidance and dealing with satellites that have reached the end of their lives. Other studies investigated disposal strategies for specific satellites in set orbits, for example satellites in medium-Earth orbit and satellites situated at stable Lagrange points or in highly-elliptical orbits.īut one of the more challenging factors in the realm of space debris is mega-constellations consisting of hundreds to thousands of spacecraft, which are becoming a useful and popular solution for global telecommunications coverage. These offer low-latency, high bandwidth global telecommunications coverage, but the resulting growth in satellite numbers might lead to a corresponding growth in space debris.
![clean space tech clean space tech](http://www.hsttechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/clean-room-hst-space-technology-03.jpg)
They showed that the break-up of large satellites will be the driving factor in the future space environment. One study modelled the break-up of large satellites and rockets moving along these two space highways to investigate how the overall levels of debris would be affected.
![clean space tech clean space tech](https://d1v1e13ebw3o15.cloudfront.net/data/60441/wfmedia_showcase/..jpg)
Just like cars drive along designated roads, satellites move along fixed orbits, the most popular of which are geostationary (~36 000 km altitude) and low-Earth (<1000 km altitude).
#CLEAN SPACE TECH HOW TO#
These studies are important for understanding how to design missions to be as environmentally-friendly as possible, and for ensuring that decision makers consider environmental impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a space project. Another study investigated the benefits of self-pressurised green propellant technology. Spacecraft propellant can also often be dangerous, both because it is often a harmful chemical and because it can cause explosions in space, creating a lot of debris. One study investigated the impact of the launch, an especially emission-heavy part of a space mission, which affects all parts of the atmosphere. Several Discovery & Preparation studies have explored the influence of more specific parts of a space mission on the environment. This is surprisingly difficult, because sometimes minimising environmental impacts at one stage of the life cycle can lead to larger impacts elsewhere. A later study, aptly named GreenSat, looked into eco-designing a satellite from beginning to end with a maximum reduction of its environmental impact. The methodology investigates the environmental impact of space missions and following this activity, ESA wrote a set of space system life cycle assessment guidelines*. One of the first steps to achieving this was a Discovery & Preparation study that applied an eco-design methodology to space activities.