A low cost, autonoumus deorbiting system for microsatellites: SIRDARIA
- Paper number
IAC-06-B6.4.07
- Author
Dr. Fabrizio Piergentili, University of Bologna, Italy
- Coauthor
Prof. Filippo Graziani, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The increasing of space activities over last decades has produced a growth in the number of no longer operative satellites, fragments of explosions, objects released during planned in orbit operations, solid propellant residuals which constitute space debris. They represent a continuous risk for operative satellites and manned missions. Space debris is mostly concentrated in Low Earth Orbit, (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit, (GEO), since they are the most used regions for space activity. No solutions seem to be effective for active removal of debris and alternative solutions are used to avoid or reduce damage due to possible impacts: monitoring of larger debris to implement avoidance maneuvers when needed or using shields to reduce risk of impacts with microdebris. Neverthless, the expected evolution of debris population shows a growth which could lead to, in a few decades, the unfeasibility to continue to use Earth orbit. The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) released guidelines which could provide a reduction of the uncontrolled growth of amount of debris. The main guideline for LEO satellites suggests the reduction of mechanical lifetime to 25 years. The paper deals with the design, the realization and test campaign of an autonomous system for deorbiting microsatellites in low earth orbit (SIRDARIA, Spacecraft Integrated Re-entry Device, Aero-Resistant, Increasing Area). This system, based on the increasing of ballistic coefficient reduces satellite life time overcoming complexity related to using propulsion system or tether. The system will be installed on-board UNISAT-4 which is the fourth satellite of UNISAT series and it is scheduled to be launched in May 2006. UNISAT program was established in early nineties by professors, researchers and students of the Group of Astrodynamics of University of Rome (GAUSS) at Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale with the aim to design, realize and operate in orbit small educational satellites. In the framework of this program three satellites have already been launched (UNISAT in September 2000, UNISAT-2 in December 2002 and UNISAT-3 in June 2004 which is still operative). The deorbiting system realization fits well with UNISAT program educational goals since a complete space culture and didactical aims cannot ignore the education in respect for the environment.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B6.4.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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