PASSIVE DEVICE DESIGNED TO FACILITATE DEMISE OF A SPACE SYSTEM DURING RE ENTRY INTO THE EARTH S ATMOSPHERE

摘要

Space system (1) comprising a structure (2) formed by structure components (3) an on board equipment (5) carried by the structure (2) and a passive device designed to facilitate demise of the space system (1) during re entry into the Earth s atmosphere. The passive device comprises connecting members (4) designed to stably connect the structure components (3). The connecting members (4) comprise at least a portion made of a primer material with characteristics such as to decay at re entry altitudes higher than those at which the current connecting members melt so as to make unstable the connection created by the connecting members (4) to such an extent as to early triggering demise of the structure (2) of the space system (1) during re entry into the Earth s atmosphere.