e.Deorbit
{{Short description|Cancelled mission to remove space debris}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Outdated as of | year = 2017 | month = 01 | day = 01 }}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = e.Deorbit
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| mission_type = Active debris removal
| operator = ESA
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| launch_mass = {{convert|1600|kg}}
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| launch_date = 2025 (planned)
| launch_rocket = Vega
| launch_site = ELA-1, Guiana Space Centre
| launch_contractor = Arianespace
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| disposal_type = Deorbit (planned)
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{{Infobox spaceflight/Dock
| docking_target = derelict satellite
| docking_type = capture
| type_override = berth
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e.Deorbit was a planned European Space Agency active space debris removal mission developed as a part of their Clean Space initiative.{{cite web|url=https://indico.esa.int/indico/event/46/|title=e.Deorbit Symposium|publisher=ESA|date=6 May 2014|access-date=2 June 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/esa-clean-space-junk-edeorbit/30972/|title=Space fishing: ESA floats plan to net space junk|publisher=Gizmag|date=28 February 2014|access-date=2 June 2015}} The launch was planned for 2025 on board a Vega launch vehicle.{{cite web |last=Pultarova |first=Tereza |url=https://www.space.com/43157-e-deorbit-new-refuel-repair-mission.html |title=European Space Junk Cleanup Concept Gets New Mission: Refuel and Repair |work=Space.com |date=29 January 2019 |access-date=16 October 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Clean_Space/e.Deorbit/|title=E.DEORBIT Mission|publisher=ESA|date=12 April 2017|access-date=6 October 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Clean_Space/ESA_heading_towards_removing_space_debris|title=ESA heading towards removing space debris|publisher=ESA|date=2 June 2015|access-date=2 June 2015}} Funding of the mission was stopped in 2018{{cite web|url=https://blogs.esa.int/cleanspace/2018/11/26/from-active-debris-removal-to-in-orbit-servicing-the-legacy-of-e-deorbit/|title=From Active Debris Removal To In-Orbit Servicing: THE LEGACY OF e.Deorbit|date=26 November 2018}} in favor of the ClearSpace-1 mission, which is now under development.[https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Clean_Space/ESA_commissions_world_s_first_space_debris_removal ESA commissions world’s first space debris removal]
Overview
A {{convert|1600|kg|adj=on}} spacecraft was to be launched on board a Vega rocket into a polar orbit at an altitude of {{convert|800-1000|km|mi}}. Once on orbit, the spacecraft would rendezvous with the derelict satellite Envisat which is in an unknown condition, inoperative, and probably tumbling.
Capture would be conducted in one of two ways: either by using mechanical tentacles or nets. The tentacles option included equipping the spacecraft with robotic arms, one of which will first capture a holding point, before the remaining arms embrace the derelict and secure it with a clamping mechanism. The net option included equipping the spacecraft with a deployable net on a tether, that will envelop the target derelict before the spacecraft will begin changing orbit.{{cite web|url=http://iaassconference2013.space-safety.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2013/06/1200_Biesbroek_Innocenti.pdf|title=The e.Deorbit CDF Study|author=Robin Biesbroek|date=22 May 2013|access-date=2 June 2015}}{{rp|13,24,25}} The net option has the advantage of being able to capture objects with a wide range of sizes and spins.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.voanews.com/science-world/2015/03/23/fishing-in-outer-space-for-bigger-junk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327000557/http://blogs.voanews.com/science-world/2015/03/23/fishing-in-outer-space-for-bigger-junk/?|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 March 2015|title=Fishing in Outer Space for Bigger Junk|publisher=Voice of America|author=Rick Pantaleo|date=23 March 2015|access-date=2 June 2015}}
After successfully capturing the targeted derelict, the spacecraft would deorbit itself, performing a controlled atmospheric reentry.
History
The mission was developed at ESA's Concurrent Design Facility, with studies for the Clean Space programme on de-orbiting techniques being carried out in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/CDF/Clean_Space|title=Clean Space|publisher=ESA, Concurrent Design Facility|date=3 October 2012|access-date=2 June 2015}} The first symposium about the mission took place in May 2014. Early testing included successful attempts at capturing scale model satellites by shooting nets from compressed air ejectors. The first design stage was completed in June 2015, with a systems requirements review being conducted in May–June 2016 and a final mission approval taking place in December 2016.
See also
- RemoveDEBRIS, a similar concept that combined four experiments for future Active Debris Removal technology: a net, a harpoon, a Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) system and a dragsail."The active space debris removal mission RemoveDebris". Parts 1 and 2 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.09.002, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.09.001)
- ClearSpace-1, the follow-up of e.Deorbit: a mission that will use e.Deorbit's tentacles option to capture the PROBA-1 satellite.
References
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External links
- [http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Clean_Space ESA Clean Space] website
- [http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2013/09/Space_debris_removal_mission Space debris removal mission] ESA illustration
- [http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Clean_Space/Readying_ESA_s_garbage_truck_Robin_Biesbroek_interview Interview with Robin Biesbroek], e.Deorbit study manager
{{European Space Agency}}