Building a Sustainable Climate Change Monitoring Satellite Mission through Life Cycle Assessment

Paper number

IAC-23,B1,IP,55,x79164

Author

Ms. Dhanisha Sateesh, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), India

Coauthor

Mr. Nadir Atayev, Azercosmos, Space Agency of Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan

Coauthor

Mr. Marco Acúrcio, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Austria

Coauthor

Mr. Abishek Shrestha, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Austria

Coauthor

Mr. Kathiravan Thangavel, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Tahsin Hossain, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Bangladesh

Coauthor

Ms. Diana ALjbour, Blinc- Borderless lab, Jordan

Coauthor

Mrs. Alison Waterman, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), United States

Coauthor

Mr. Daniel Wischert, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Saketh Mulakaluri, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Austria

Year

2023

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to our planet, and accurate monitoring of essential climate variables is crucial for understanding and mitigating its effects. However, current remote sensing missions do not provide systemic high quality spatial resolution data for large swath areas. It is also unclear as to whether these missions are sustainable and follow the recommended international guidelines for space missions.
\newline
The main objective of this research paper is to conceptualize a climate change monitoring satellite mission that is proven to be sustainable through life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA is an important tool that can help evaluate conceptual designs based on their environmental impact over their life cycles and when employed in the space mission design context, it can help determine efficient and sustainable alternatives to presently used materials and procesess in satellites.\newline
This research focuses on the conceptual design of a constellation of low altitude remote sensing small satellites at SSO (Sun Synchronous Orbit) and orbits having a medium range inclination - MIO (Mid Inclination Orbit), in order to obtain frequent coverage at both higher and lower altitudes with greater revisit frequency.\newline
These satellites monitor key climate change indicators as defined by the EPA, such as surface temperature, polar ice cap melting rates, percentage of sea level rise, precipitation rates and greenhouse gas emissions among many more through novel instruments that are designed following the heritage of missions like Copernicus-Sentinel, LandSat and A-Train and improving upon the resolution obtained using recently introduced technology like hyperspectral imagery and high speed onboard data processing systems. The research also includes the design parameters of the satellite's structure, electronics and power handling system, orbit determination and attitude control system, onboard electric propulsion system and data handling and communication system. The proposed mission design also complies with the existing space law policies and has proper deorbit procedures like the recently introduced 5 year deorbit rule adopted by the FCC.\newline
In summary, this paper outlines the conceptual design of a sustainable climate change monitoring satellite mission that provides high-resolution, frequent coverage of key climate indicators over large areas, thus providing a solution to the gap present in the existing remote sensing satellite missions.

Abstract document

IAC-23,B1,IP,55,x79164.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-23,B1,IP,55,x79164.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.