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.
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11 February 2022
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-022-0136-2
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr. Lesley Jane Smith of Leuphana University of Lüneburg for her discussions on the use of the Learned Hand formula with regard to liability in space. This work received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 687295.
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Emma Kerr is currently working as a space safety engineer and project manager for Deimos Space UK Ltd. She received her Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Strathclyde, UK, where she also worked as a research assistant. Following her Ph.D. degree, Emma worked as a post-doctoral fellow for the Space Environment Research Centre based at RMIT University, Australia, specialising in space weather and atmospheric density effects on orbit propagation.
Malcolm Macdonald is professor and chair of applied space technology at University of Strathclyde, working at the interface between academia, industry, and government. His work aims to enable and develop new space-derived services through advancing a range of new technologies, challenging conventional ideas, and working at the interface between disciplines to advance new concepts in the exploration and exploitation of space. He is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and an associate fellow of the AIAA.
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Kerr, E., Macdonald, M. Limits of drag augmentation at spacecraft end-of-mission and a mitigation strategy. Astrodyn 5, 109–120 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-020-0092-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-020-0092-7