The H2020 ReDSHIFT project: a successful European effort towards space debris mitigation

Paper number

IAC-19,A6,4,6,x53158

Author

Dr. Alessandro Rossi, Italy, IFAC-CNR

Coauthor

Dr. Elisa Maria Alessi, Italy, IFAC-CNR

Coauthor

Dr. Giulia Schettino, Italy, IFAC-CNR

Coauthor

Dr. James Beck, United Kingdom, Belstead Research Ltd

Coauthor

Dr. Ian Holbrough, United Kingdom, Belstead Research Ltd

Coauthor

Mr. Thorn Schleutker, Germany, DLR (German Aerospace Center)

Coauthor

Mr. Federico Letterio, Spain, Deimos Space SLU

Coauthor

Mr. Gonzalo Vicario de Miguel, Spain, Deimos Space S.L.

Coauthor

Dr. Jonathan Becedas Rodríguez, Spain, Elecnor Deimos

Coauthor

Mr. Florio Dalla Vedova, Luxembourg, LuxSpace Sarl

Coauthor

Dr. Hedley Stokes, United Kingdom, PHS Space Ltd

Coauthor

Dr. Camilla Colombo, Italy, Politecnico di Milano

Coauthor

Dr. Ioannis Gkolias, Italy, Politecnico di Milano

Coauthor

Prof. Franco Bernelli-Zazzera, Italy, Politecnico di Milano

Coauthor

Dr. Narcís Miguel Banos, Italy, Politecnico di Milano

Coauthor

Dr. Scott Walker, United Kingdom, University of Southampton

Coauthor

Mr. Federico Romei, United Kingdom, University of Southampton

Coauthor

Prof.Dr. Kleomenis Tsiganis, Greece

Coauthor

Ms. Despoina Skoulidou, Greece, Aristotle Uiniversity of Thessaloniki

Coauthor

Prof. Enrico Stoll, Germany, TU Braunschweig, Institute of Space Systems

Coauthor

Mr. Volker Schaus, Germany, TU Braunschweig, Institute of Space Systems

Coauthor

Ms. Rada Popova, Germany, Institute of Air and Space Law, University of Cologne

Coauthor

Mr. Youngkyu Kim, Germany, University of Cologne

Coauthor

Prof. Alessandro Francesconi, Italy, University of Padova - DII/CISAS

Coauthor

Dr. Lorenzo Olivieri, Italy, CISAS "G. Colombo" - University of Padova

Coauthor

Prof. Simone Gerardin, Italy, University of Padova

Year

2019

Abstract

The ReDSHIFT (Revolutionary Design of Spacecraft
through Holistic Integration of Future Technologies) project
was concluded on March 31, 2019.

It was a 3-year project that displayed an impressive level of
collaboration between 13 European partners, aimed at studying,
implementing and testing novel solutions for space debris
mitigation.

The main results can be summarized as:
\begin{enumerate}
\item
A complete mapping of the LEO to GEO space was performed
and the cartography was exploited to devise ``dynamical'' disposal strategies
for any orbital regime.
\item
The possibility to exploit area augmentation devices (e.g., solar and
drag sails) was studied both from the dynamical and the hardware
point of view.
\item
A prototype small spacecraft ``debris compliant'' was designed
and assembled exploiting the advantages offered by the additive
manufacturing procedures. After a first round of environmental tests
the initial spacecraft design was revised and a new design, optimized
for 3D printing, was obtained.
\item
Several parts, including a solar/drag sail container, an in-orbit
attach mechanism for sail module and new debris shields, were
designed, 3D printed and tested. The sail mechanisms underwent
deployment and mechanical tests, while
the shields were tested with hypervelocity impacts.
\item
The materials and components of the spacecraft were tested for
Design for Demise (D4D).
\item
A software tool (whose web version is now publicly available on the
project website: http://redshift-h2020.eu/)
encompassing all the above findings was produced. The software
shall help the users to conceive a ``debris compliant'' space mission
from the design to the disposal phase.
\item
A number of possible improvements to the international space
regulations and standards, stemming from the projects findings, were
analyzed and identified.
\end{enumerate}
A comprehensive summary of all the above results will be presented
with a specific focus on the latest final achievements, mainly
itemized in points 3, 4, 6 and 7 above.
The research leading to these results has received funding
from the Horizon 2020 Program of the European
Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
(H2020-PROTEC-2015) under REA grant agreement n. [687500]- ReDSHIFT.

Abstract document

IAC-19,A6,4,6,x53158.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-19,A6,4,6,x53158.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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