Concepts and Applications of Aerodynamic Attitude and Orbital Control for Spacecraft in Very Low Earth Orbit
- Paper number
IAC-19,C1,1,3,x50777
- Author
Ms. Sabrina Livadiotti, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Nicholas H. Crisp, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Peter C.E Roberts, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Steve Edmondson, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Sarah Haigh, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Mrs. Claire Huyton, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Mrs. Rachel Lyons, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Vitor Oiko, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Katharine Smith, United Kingdom, University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Ms. Luciana Sinpetru, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Mr. Alastair Straker, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Stephen Worrall, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Jonathan Becedas Rodríguez, Spain, Elecnor Deimos
- Coauthor
Ms. Rosa María Domínguez, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems
- Coauthor
Mr. David González, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems
- Coauthor
Mr. Valentin Cañas, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems
- Coauthor
Ms. Hanessian Virginia, Denmark, GomSpace Aps
- Coauthor
Mr. Anders Mølgaard, Denmark, GomSpace Aps
- Coauthor
Mr. Jens Nielsen, Denmark, GomSpace Aps
- Coauthor
Dr. Morten Bisgaard, Denmark, GomSpace ApS
- Coauthor
Mr. Adam Boxberger, Germany, IRS, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Mr. Yung-An Chan, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, Universität Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Prof.Dr. Georg Herdrich, Germany, Institute of Space Systems
- Coauthor
Mr. Francesco Romano, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Prof. Stefanos Fasoulas, Germany, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Mr. Constantin Traub, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Dr. Daniel Garcia-Almiñana, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH
- Coauthor
Dr. Silvia Rodriguez-Donaire, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH
- Coauthor
Dr. Miquel Sureda, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH
- Coauthor
Mrs. Dhiren Kataria, United Kingdom, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Coauthor
Dr. Ron Outlaw, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Badia Belkouchi, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Mr. Alexis Conte, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Mr. Jose Santiago Perez Cano, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Mrs. Rachel Villain, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Ms. Barbara Heißerer, Germany, concentris research management gmbh
- Coauthor
Ms. Ameli Schwalber, Germany, concentris research management gmbh
- Year
2019
- Abstract
Spacecraft operations below 450km, namely Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), can offer significant advantages over traditional low Earth orbits, for example enhanced ground resolution for Earth observation, improved communications latency and link budget, or improved signal-to-noise ratio. Recently, these lower orbits have begun to be exploited as a result of technology development, particularly component miniaturisation and cost-reduction, and concerns over the increasing debris population in commercially exploited orbits. However, the high cost of orbital launch and challenges associated with atmospheric drag, causing orbital decay and eventually re-entry are still a key barrier to their wider use for large commercial and civil spacecraft. Efforts to address the impact of aerodynamic drag are being sought through the development of novel drag-compensation propulsion systems and identification of materials which can reduce aerodynamic drag by specularly reflecting the incident gas. However, the presence of aerodynamic forces can also be utilised to augment or improve spacecraft operations at these very low altitudes by providing the capability to perform coarse pointing control and trim, internal momentum management, or secular control of inclination and RAAN for example. This paper presents concepts for the advantageous use of spacecraft aerodynamics developed as part of DISCOVERER, a Horizon 2020 funded project with the aim to revolutionise Earth observation satellite operations in VLEO. The combination of novel spacecraft geometries and use of aerodynamic control methods are explored, demonstrating the potential for a new generation of Earth observation satellites operating at lower altitudes.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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