THE E.DEORBIT MISSION: RESULTS OF ESA'S PHASE A STUDIES FOR AN ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL MISSION

摘要

In the period 2012 to 2014 ESA (European Space Agency) has performed several internal assessment studies, as well as a phase A study on an Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission called e.deorbit. The mission objective of e.deorbit is to remove a large uncooperative ESA-owned space debris from the 800-1000 km (near) polar region. Internal studies in 2012 focussed on the analysis of several capture techniques for both cooperative and uncooperative large targets. This was followed in 2013 by three industrial contracts to assess a service oriented approach towards the implementation of an ADR mission. In 2014 three contracts for a phase A study were awarded to Airbus Defence and Space, Kayser-Threde (now OHB System) , and Thales Alenia Space. Each contractor was asked to design three concepts: 1) an ADR controlled de-orbit mission based on a rigid capture link, 2) an ADR controlled de-orbit mission based on a flexible link, and 3) an ADR re-orbit mission. A trade-off between the three concepts was requested at the end of the study based on ESA-defined cost and risk criteria. The phase A was completed with a Preliminary Requirements Review. In parallel to the phase A activities, several technology development studies were awarded within ESA's Clean Space initiative. These studies focussed mainly on the payload design, such as clamping mechanisms preliminary design, net capture concept bread-boarding and testing in parabolic flights, analysis of flexible dynamics between a chaser and the target connected by a tether, and GNC related activities related to close rendezvous and capture, as well as de-tumbling of a target. This paper shows the results of the three concepts for each phase A contract, and gives an overview of the 2015 activities related to ESA's ADR mission, including a timeline of the phase B1 design, technology maturity studies and In-Orbit Demonstration mission studies.