DOCSLIB.ORG

Space Debris and Challenges to Safety of Space Activity

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Space Debris and Challenges to Safety of Space Activity ЦНИИМАШ FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY OF RUSSIA TSNIIMASH SPACE DEBRIS AND CHALLENGES TO SAFETY OF SPACE ACTIVITY Yuriy Makarov, Dmitriy Gorobets Federal Space Agency Michael Yakovlev Central Research Institute of Machine Building The International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris Montreal May 7-9, 2009 fffffffffffff 1 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Man-made orbital debris poses an increasing risk to space vehicles • The time have come when space debris poses the real risk for long term sustainable space activity, also for people safety and property on the Earth surface. • Each following launch of a space vehicle at long last leads to creation of new space debris. Moreover, studies indicate that beyond the middle of current century the self-collision fragments will outnumber decaying debris, and force the total debris population to increase. • Taking into account that space have got more deeply in all fields of activity of states and individuals, any limitation of space activity can lead to negative influence on economy of states and international relations up to development of potential conflicts. • So, space debris problem that have to be decided, concerns not only aspects of space engineering and space technologies, but also affects the social and economic developmentfffffffffffffof states and their national security. 2 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Regulation of Activity on Space Debris Mitigation • national standards on space debris mitigation; • international agreements on space debris mitigation; • international standards on designing and operation of space assets in order to minimize future space debris population; • licensing the organizations - designers and operators of space assets on the basis of the developed international standards on space debris mitigation; • restriction of the space market for the designers and operators of space assets who don’t carry out the requirements of international standards; • development and implementation of “space traffic management”; fffffffffffff 3 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Scheme of Responsibility for Development of Normative and Technical Documentation on Debris Mitigation INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY ON SPACE DEBRIS PROBLEM UN COPUOS Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation IADC Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation Licensing of International Lice nsing of S pace O pe rators of Space S tandards Vehicles Designers Ve hicle s on Space Debris N ational Standards on Space Debris N A T I O N A L Sfffffffffffff P A C E A C T I V I T Y 4 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH UN COPUOS Document on Debris Mitigation • In June, 2007 at its 62nd session, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (hereafter – the Committee) endorsed the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (Ref. Doc. is A/62/20). • The COPUOS Guidelines are based on the technical content and the basic definitions of the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, taking into consideration the United Nations treaties and principles on outer space. • The COPUOS agreed that its approval of the voluntary guidelines for the mitigation of space debris would increase mutual understanding on acceptable activities in space and thus enhance stability in space-related matters and decrease the likelihood of friction and conflict. • The COPUOS Guidelines were subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/217 of 21 December, 2007. fffffffffffff 5 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Hierarchy of Documents on Space Debris Mitigation UN - TECHNICAL ISSUES UN COPUOS - S&TSC UN COPUOS - Level 3 IADC SD Space Debris Mitigation Basic Mitigation Guidelines Guidelines Principles IADC Support to SD Level 2 Mitigation Guidelines What should be done? (additional technical information) Design & Operation Practices Level 1 (ISO/National Activities) How it should be done? (technical requirements) Licensing of Operators and Designers (ISO/National Activities) fffffffffffff 6 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH The Keystones of the Russian Federation Space Policy up to 2020 and Beyond approved by the PRESIDENT of the RUSSIAN FEDERATION, April, 2008 Top Priorities of the Russian Federation Space Activity • Deployment of orbital satellite groupings for supporting communications, TV and radio broadcasting, navigation, ERS, hydrometeorology, basic space research, defense, thus satisfying the national security, social, economic and science sectors requirements. • Assured space access and autonomy of the Russian Federation space activity within the whole range of the missions to be realized owing to construction of a launch site on the country’s territory for operating science- and economy- oriented spacecrafts. • Fulfillment of international obligations including the ISS commitments, completion of the ISS Russian Segment buildup and enhancement of its scientific application payoff • Exploration of Solar system planets and celestial bodies focused on obtaining profound knowledge about the surrounding world, utilizing extraterrestrial resources, studying the Earth climate evolution mechanisms, searching for exobiota Safety control Assurance of ecological safety of space activity, implementation of of technologies and the designs minimizing production of space debris at launch and operation of spacecraft and orbital stations space activity fffffffffffff 7 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) ISON is an open international non-government project mainly aimed at being a free source of information on space objects for scientific analysis fffffffffffff 8 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Space Debris Modelling In 2008 the parameters of the 2400 Russian Standard on Debris 2200 Model were updated applying 2000 the accessible data 2003 1800 2005 1600 2007 • It was shown that within the 2009 last two years the velocity of 1400 enhancement of debris 1200 population may be assessed 1000 as unprecedented. It 4 times 800 exceeds the average speed of 600 growth of debris population for Число в кмобъектов 100 слое all previous years. 400 200 • In 2009 the debris population in the range of debris 0 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 concentration maximum was Высота перигея, км enhanced up to 2.6 times in comparing with 2003. fffffffffffff 9 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH ISS Protection Against Space Debris Fragments HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT EXPERIMENTS • Projectile – Al pellet of 10,72 mm in diameter, velocity ~ 6 km/s. Impact angle ~ 45o. • The investigated structures of equivalent weight: A - combination of mesh shield with continuous shield (Russian proposal). B - combination of two continuous shields (as it used at the ISS). A. Second shield – B. Second shield – without through breakdown through breakdown (The first shield was made from the steel (The first continuous aluminum shield) mesh of special weaving) fffffffffffff 10 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Compliance of Roscosmos Activity in Space Debris Mitigation with the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines The UN Principle The measures undertaken №/№ of Space Debris in the space vehicles design and operation Mitigation 1 Limit debris • Not to release space debris fragments for “Briz-M”, “DM” orbital stages , 3-rd released during stage (block “I”) of “Soyuz-2” launcher during normal operations. normal • Not to release space debris fragments for spacecraft during normal operations operations . 2 • Strengthening of constructive materials of space vehicles and using of Minimize the shields around fuel tanks, high pressure vessels not to admit accidental potential for break-ups and to protect against impact of meteors and space debris fragments. break-ups during operational • At spacecraft of “Ekran” type to prevent explosions of the detonating gas that is being produced by the silver-cadmium batteries, the said batteries phases were changed to the nickel-hydrogen ones. • In case of orbital stages of “DM” type the minimizing of the potential for break-ups is provided due to presence of relief dampers on fuel tanks and gas cylinders. fffffffffffff 11 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Compliance of Roscosmos Activity in Space Debris Mitigation with the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines The UN Principle The measures undertaken №/№ of Space Debris in the space vehicles design and operation Mitigation 3 Limit the • Guaranteed withdrawal of orbital stages from the launched spacecraft is probability of being undertaken thus decreasing the probability of dangerous collisions. accidental • In case of the International Space Station (ISS) the estimation of probability collision in orbit of collisions with large debris fragments is being carried out on a regular basis. Maneuvers of the ISS for leaving from dangerous fragments are envisioned thus decreasing the probability of collisions. 4 Avoid intentional • Intentional destructions are prohibited at all launchers, apogee motors and destruction and spacecraft developed by Roscosmos. other harmful activities 5 Minimize •The pressure release from fuel tanks is made in case of orbital stages after their potential for withdrawal from the launched spacecraft post-mission •In case of orbital stages of “DM” type the following procedures are break-ups implemented: the removal of the remainders of fuel of the sustainer, a burning resulting from out of the remainders of fuel from SOZ engine after separation of spacecraft, a discharge of onboard storage batteries. stored energy •In case of spacecraft of “Express” and “Gonets” types the following procedures are implemented: termination of rotation of handwheels, gyros and other mechanical
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris a Position Paper
    Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris A Position Paper Provided By Association of Space Explorers 141 Bay Area Blvd Webster, TX 77598 15 July 2020 INTRODUCTION The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an international nonprofit professional and educational organization of over 400 flown astronauts and cosmonauts from 38 nations. Membership in ASE is open to individuals who have completed at least one orbit of the Earth in a spacecraft. ASE member countries include Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam. When Sputnik was launched in 1957 there was only one man made object in orbit. Now there are over 500,000 spacecraft and space debris objects orbiting the earth. Because these objects travel at speeds on the order of 8 kilometers per second, even a very small piece of material represents a hazard to other spacecraft should a collision (conjunction) occur. Great effort is underway to better understand the orbits of all of these objects and to develop the capability to identify potential collisions. ASE fully supports activities aimed at making operations in earth orbit safe, efficient, and collegial, and is often asked for “the astronaut’s/cosmonaut’s perspective” on subjects that fall under these headings. Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris are two such topics where ASE sees the need for a coordinated, international effort to insure safe and efficient operations in earth orbit.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Traffic Management in the Age of New Space Glenn Peterson, Marlon Sorge, and William Ailor the Aerospace Corporation
    CENTER FOR SPACE POLICY AND STRATEGY APRIL 2018 SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THE AGE OF NEW SPACE GLENN PETERSON, MARLON SORGE, AND WILLIAM AILOR THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION © 2018 The Aerospace Corporation. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. OTR 201800503 GLENN PETERSON Dr. Glenn Peterson is senior engineering specialist in the System Analysis and Simulation Subdivision. He works on a variety of topics pertaining to space traffic management and is responsible for analysis regarding orbital debris and micrometeoroid environments, collision risk and avoidance modeling, and the threat from near earth objects. He has an M.S. in aerospace engineering from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. MARLON SORGE Marlon Sorge is senior project engineer for the Space Innovation Directorate, and a core member of the corporation’s Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies (CORDS), having worked on orbital debris research for nearly 30 years. Sorge supports a variety of projects related to space debris and space situational awareness as well as strategic planning, conceptual design, technology development, and astrodynamics analysis. He developed the Aerospace fragmentation model and conducted some of the first work in real-time fragmentation event risk assessment. He holds an M.S. in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue University. WILLIAM AILOR Dr. William Ailor is the principal engineer for the Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies (CORDS). He has extensive expertise on spacecraft reentry and breakup and is frequently asked to provide commentary and context for national news outlets.
    [Show full text]
  • Perspectives on Future Space Traffic Management
    Perspectives on future space traffic management Alexander Soucek 10th UN Space Law Workshop Legal Officer, International Law Division, European Space Agency 5 September 2016, Vienna, Austria Space Traffic Management: the concept • Conceptualized in the 1980s • “Space Traffic Management is the set of regulatory rules to ensure safe access to outer space, safe operations in outer space and safe return from outer space.” (IAA, 2006) • Basis: to view space activities as a comprehensive traffic regime and regulate them accordingly. 2 Evolution of spaceflight • New ways of using outer space: e.g. mega- constellations, on-orbit servicing missions, space tourism • New actors (privatization, “space democratization”) • New technical challenges (amount of space objects, maneuverability, etc.) • => new regulatory requirements 3 Today: “status management” • The basis of international space law is embodied in five multilateral treaties without a “normative hierarchy”. • The Outer Space Treaty sets forth some fundamental, commonly recognized principles pertaining to the status of outer space and the conduct of space activities. • Primary purpose: to regulate inter-state relations (in times of the Cold War). 4 The example of the “space object” • The term is not defined beyond that it includes “component parts (…) as well as its launch vehicle and parts thereof”. • No normative distinction is made between different object categories, their function or their purposes. • No technical or safety requirements a space object would have to meet are defined; nor are physical object parameters or rules pertaining to space object operations. 5 STM elements in int. space law • The space treaties do not provide for technical requirements but are interstratified with STM elements, e.g.: – Specific kinds of payloads are forbidden in certain orbits; – Registration and notification requirements; – appropriate consultations to avoid harmful interference.
    [Show full text]
  • SPACE POLICY PRIMER Key Concepts, Issues, and Actors SECOND EDITION
    JOHN PAUL BYRNE John Paul Byrne is an undergraduate at the United States Air Force Academy. He was recently an intern at The Aerospace Corporation, where he supported the work of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy. He is working as the president of the Air Force Academy’s International Applied Space Policy and Strategy cadet club, where they focus on developing space-minded officers for the Air and Space Forces. John will earn his bachelor’s degree in political science with a focus in international relations, and a minor in German in 2021. ROBIN DICKEY Robin Dickey is a space policy and strategy analyst at The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, focusing on national security space. Her prior experience includes risk analysis, legislative affairs, and international development. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international studies at Johns Hopkins University. MICHAEL P. GLEASON Dr. Michael P. Gleason is a national security senior project engineer in The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy and is a well-regarded author on space policy subjects, including international cooperation, space traffic management, national security, and deterrence. He has presented his research on critical space policy issues at conferences in Canada, Europe, Japan, and across the United States. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Gleason served 29 years active in the Air Force space career field, including stints in spacecraft operations, on the Air Force Academy faculty, at the Pentagon, and at the Department of State. He holds a Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr.: Limited 4 April 2019
    United Nations A/AC.105/C.2/L.309/Add.1 General Assembly Distr.: Limited 4 April 2019 Original: English Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Legal Subcommittee Fifty-eighth session Vienna, 1–12 April 2019 Draft report IV. Status and application of the five United Nations treaties on outer space 1. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 73/91, the Subcommittee considered agenda item 5, entitled “Status and application of the five United Nations treaties on outer space”, as a regular item on its agenda. 2. The representatives of Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, the Russian Federation and the United States made statements under agenda item 5. Statements were made by the representative of Egypt on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and by the representative of Costa Rica on behalf of Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of). During the general exchange of views, statements relating to the item were also made by representatives of other member States. 3. At its 976th meeting, on 1 April, the Subcommittee reconvened its Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space, with Bernhard Schmidt-Tedd (Germany) as Chair. 4. At its […] meeting, on […] April, the Subcommittee endorsed the report of the Chair of the Working Group, contained in annex […] to the present report. 5. The Subcommittee had before it the following: (a) Working paper submitted by the Chair of the Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space entitled “Draft guidance document under UNISPACE+50 thematic priority 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Cosmic Study on Space Traffic Management
    Notice: The cosmic study or position paper that is the subject of this report was approved by the Board of Trustees of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) in charge of the governing policy. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the International Academy of Astronautics and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring or funding organizations. For more information about the International Academy of Astronautics, visit the IAA home pages at www.iaaweb.org. Copyright 2005 by the International Academy of Astronaut- ics. All rights reserved. The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) a non governmental organization recognized by the United Nations was founded in 1960. Since that time, IAA has brought together the world's foremost experts (1216) in the disciplines of astronautics on a regular basis to recognize the accomplishments of their peers, to explore and discuss cutting-edge issues in space research and technology, and to provide direction and guidance in the non-military uses of space and the ongoing exploration of the solar sys- tem. The purposes of the IAA, as stated in the Academy's statutes are to foster the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a branch of science or technology related to astronautics, to provide a program through which the mem- bership can contribute to international endeavors and cooperation in the advancement of aerospace science, in cooperation with national
    [Show full text]
  • Space Law: Selected Documents 2009 Volume 2: International Space Law Documents
    The University of Mississippi School of Law The National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law Informational resources on the legal aspects of human activities using aerospace technologies Space Law: Selected Documents 2009 Volume 2: International Space Law Documents Compiled by P.J. Blount P.J. Blount, editor Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, editor A supplement to the Journal of Space Law This page intentionally left blank. ii Disclaimer The information contained in this compilation represents information as of February 22, 2010. It does not constitute legal representation by the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law (Center), its faculty or staff. Before using any information in this publication, it is recommended that an attorney be consulted for specific legal advice. This publication is offered as a service to the Center's readership. The documents contained in this publication do not purport to be official copies. Some pages have sections blocked out. These blocked sections do not appear in the original documents. Blocked out sections contain information wholly unrelated to the space law materials intended to be compiled. The sections were blocked out by the Center's faculty and staff to facilitate focus on the relevant materials. iii National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law Founded in 1999, the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law is a reliable source for creating, gathering, and disseminating objective and timely remote sensing, space, and aviation legal research and materials. The Center serves the public good and the aerospace industry by addressing and conducting education and outreach activities related to the legal aspects of aerospace technologies to human activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Traffic Management: a Challenge of Cosmic Proportions
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Law, College of Program Faculty Publications 2016 Space Traffica M nagement: A Challenge of Cosmic Proportions Frans G. von der Dunk University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/spacelaw Part of the Air and Space Law Commons, Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, International Law Commons, Military, War, and Peace Commons, National Security Law Commons, and the Science and Technology Law Commons von der Dunk, Frans G., "Space Traffica M nagement: A Challenge of Cosmic Proportions" (2016). Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program Faculty Publications. 91. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/spacelaw/91 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law, College of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Published in Proceedings of the International Institute of Space Law 2015, vol. 58 (2016), pp. 385–396. Copyright © 2015 Frans von der Dunk. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and As- tronautics (AIAA) and Eleven International Publishing. Used by permission. Space Traffic Management: A Challenge of Cosmic Proportions Frans G. von der Dunk Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law Program, University of Nebraska College
    [Show full text]
  • Managing China's Rise in Outer Space
    MANAGING CHINA’S RISE IN OUTER SPACE FRANK A. ROSE APRIL 2020 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Space Dialogue; developing bilateral and multilateral norms of behavior for outer space; identifying ways to Access to outer space is critical to modern everyday cooperate with China on pragmatic civil space projects; life on Earth. The utilization of outer space helps us and reviewing current congressional limitations on civil warn of natural disasters, facilitate navigation and space cooperation with China. transportation globally, expand our scientific frontiers, monitor compliance with arms control treaties and 1 agreements, provide global access to financial INTRODUCTION operations, and scores of other activities worldwide. Access to outer space is critical to modern everyday life on Earth. The utilization of outer space helps us However, today’s outer space environment is evolving warn of natural disasters, facilitate navigation and rapidly, presenting the United States and the entire transportation globally, expand our scientific frontiers, international community with several key challenges monitor compliance with arms control treaties and to the sustainability, safety, stability, and security of agreements, provide global access to financial the outer space environment. Some of these key operations, and scores of other activities worldwide. challenges include the growth of orbital debris, which However, today’s outer space environment is evolving represents an ever-increasing threat to both human rapidly, presenting the United States and the entire and robotic space flight, the emergence of mega international community with several key challenges constellations of small satellites, and the development to the sustainability, safety, stability, and security of and deployment of anti-satellite (or ASAT) capabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Traffic Management Concepts Leveraging Existing Frameworks
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Space Traffic Management Conference 2016 Emerging Dynamics Nov 17th, 3:45 PM Space Traffic Management Concepts vLe eraging Existing Frameworks Stephen K. Hunter USAF, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/stm Part of the Air and Space Law Commons, Business and Corporate Communications Commons, International Law Commons, Law of the Sea Commons, Military, War, and Peace Commons, National Security Law Commons, Other Law Commons, Other Physics Commons, and the Transportation Law Commons Hunter, Stephen K., "Space Traffic Management Concepts vLe eraging Existing Frameworks" (2016). Space Traffic Management Conference. 5. https://commons.erau.edu/stm/2016/presentations/5 This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Space Traffic Management Conference by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Space Traffic Management Concepts Leveraging Existing Frameworks Stephen K. Hunter The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited Overview In a recent US-sponsored international wargame event, in which the scenario was set 10 years in the future, a participant provided a scene-setting briefing to describe the US commercial and civil Space Traffic Management (STM) environment of 2026.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Is Getting Crowded: the Challenge of Space Traffic Management
    Space is getting crowded: the challenge of space traffic management Abstract: Since the first spacecraft was launched into orbit more than 60 years ago, the number of satellites orbiting the Earth has significantly increased and so has the dependency of everyday technological systems to safe and continuous satellite operations. As the number of launches is expected to further boost in the near future, some orbital highways might soon be on the verge of congestion and the risk of collisions among objects unsustainable. These situations are handled by a complex system including several elements: observing the sky to monitor and track satellites in orbit, predicting their trajectories, anticipating the risk of collision and re-entry on the ground and acting on hazardous scenarios, as well as adapting future missions and spacecraft design to the risk of congested orbits. A key element relies on finding an appropriate solution for the handling of space traffic at international level, balancing on one side safety and sustainability in space and on earth with innovation and development. This represents one of the most dynamic and intricate challenges of the years to come as diverse scientific, legal and governance questions are starting to be investigated and are yet to be answered. Bio Ms Maria Piera Padula is a scientific officer at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Bonn in the field of Space Situational Awareness (SSA). She joined DLR in 2016 and since then she has been working on project management, scientific and policy development in the context of European Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) and space debris.
    [Show full text]
  • Artificial Intelligence in Support to Space Traffic Management
    th International Astronautical Congress, Adelaide, Australia. Copyright c 2017 by the authors. Published by the International Astronautical Federation with permission. IAC–17–A6,7,1,x41479 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SUPPORT TO SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Massimiliano Vasile University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, [email protected] V´ıctor Rodr´ıguez-Fernandez´ Universidad Autonoma´ de Madrid, Spain, [email protected] Romain Serra University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, [email protected] David Camacho Universidad Autonoma´ de Madrid, Spain, [email protected] Annalisa Riccardi University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, [email protected] This paper presents an Artificial Intelligence-based decision support system to assist ground operators to plan and implement collision avoidance manoeuvres. When a new conjunction is expected, the system provides the operator with an optimal manoeuvre and an analysis of the possible outcomes. Machine learning techniques are combined with uncertainty quantification and orbital mechanics calculations to support an optimal and reliable management of space traffic. A dataset of collision avoidance manoeuvres has been created by simulating a range of scenarios in which optimal manoeuvres (in the sense of optimal control) are applied to reduce the collision probability between pairs of objects. The consequences of the execution of a manoeuvre are evaluated to assess its benefits against its cost. Consequences are quantified in terms of the need for additional manoeuvres to avoid subsequent collisions. By using this dataset, we train predictive models that forecast the risk of avoiding new collisions, and use them to recommend alternative manoeuvres that may be globally better for the space environment.
    [Show full text]