Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Aurora Plasma Brake (APB) (Deorbiting and collision avoidance technologies for scalable sustainable space access)
Reporting period: 2023-02-01 to 2024-01-31
Space debris is a growing problem due to their increasing number: today, there’s 23 000 debris pieces larger than a softball in orbit, and over 100 million pieces of 1 mm or more (https://go.nasa.gov/363O9wA). They all are moving fast enough (~25,300 km/h) to destroy spacecraft upon collision. The dangers can be mitigated by installing collision avoidance systems to spacecraft to avoid some of the potential collisions. However, although the probability of a collision is not high today, it is increasing rapidly with each new satellite launched (e.g. Starlink alone plans to have 42K satellites in orbit). Allowing these satellites to remain in orbit as debris would jeopardize the use of space for future generations. For this reason, the regulatory landscape for deorbiting satellites and used rocket stages is becoming stricter. In September 2022 the US Federal Communication Commission approved the new orbital debris rules that require any spacecraft launched to Low Earth Orbit to be removed within 5 years of their mission ending (https://bit.ly/3LTQ2g2). The industry expects that the UN Outer Space Treaty will follow the US initiative. The EU agrees - it is preparing a directive for space debris mitigation with the space sustainability standards as well as with space traffic management regulations (https://bit.ly/3J2YCXH) requiring collision avoidance technology.
This project aims to develop the technology needed to enable the sustainable utilization of outer space. The Aurora Plasma Brake (APB) is a small and reliable deorbiting system that can be utilized to remove satellites from their orbit after their mission has finished. The APB uses the Coulomb Drag effect to interact with the upper atmosphere plasma, causing the spacecraft orbit to decay. Its power requirements are minimal (single W scale) compared to the drag force created. APB can either rely on the host satellite systems or be completely autonomous (by deploying automatically even if the satellite is no longer operational). APB is designed for satellites in the 1-500 kg range with thrust up to 100 nN per meter of tether and operating altitude up to 1,500 km. In addition, the Aurora Resistojet technology is used as a supporting technology for the APB, both for CubeSat spin deployment and for detumbling a non-operational SmallSat for autonomous deployment. The Resistojet is a miniaturized thruster system that can generate a specific impulse of 100 s with water as the propellant – the safest and greenest option there is. It also allows even the smallest satellites to conduct collision avoidance maneuvers. Its plug & play design allows easy integration to and use by the satellite.
This project aims to develop the technology needed to enable the sustainable utilization of outer space. The Aurora Plasma Brake (APB) is a small and reliable deorbiting system that can be utilized to remove satellites from their orbit after their mission has finished. The APB uses the Coulomb Drag effect to interact with the upper atmosphere plasma, causing the spacecraft orbit to decay. Its power requirements are minimal (single W scale) compared to the drag force created. APB can either rely on the host satellite systems or be completely autonomous (by deploying automatically even if the satellite is no longer operational). APB is designed for satellites in the 1-500 kg range with thrust up to 100 nN per meter of tether and operating altitude up to 1,500 km. In addition, the Aurora Resistojet technology is used as a supporting technology for the APB, both for CubeSat spin deployment and for detumbling a non-operational SmallSat for autonomous deployment. The Resistojet is a miniaturized thruster system that can generate a specific impulse of 100 s with water as the propellant – the safest and greenest option there is. It also allows even the smallest satellites to conduct collision avoidance maneuvers. Its plug & play design allows easy integration to and use by the satellite.
The Plasma Brake functionality was studied in detailed simulations that utilize real-world orbital environmental measurements for accurate and realistic results. The dynamic movement of the tether during the deployment and operation was studied, in addition to estimating the total time required to deorbit satellites in different mission scenarios.
Different mission profiles were identified, and preliminary designs of the APB device were prepared for each mission profile.
Manufacturing processes needed for the series production of the devices were mapped and the design of key production processes and machinery was started.
The Resistojet Thruster system was designed in a small form factor that is usable for collision avoidance and spin-up maneuvers. Four of the Resistojet Thrusters were also launched on an in-orbit-demonstration mission.
A white paper was prepared on the topic of Space Sustainability from a holistic perspective considering not only the in-orbit sustainability but also the other aspects of sustainability in the space industry.
The strategy for generation and protection of related Intellectual Property was created and its implementation started.
Different mission profiles were identified, and preliminary designs of the APB device were prepared for each mission profile.
Manufacturing processes needed for the series production of the devices were mapped and the design of key production processes and machinery was started.
The Resistojet Thruster system was designed in a small form factor that is usable for collision avoidance and spin-up maneuvers. Four of the Resistojet Thrusters were also launched on an in-orbit-demonstration mission.
A white paper was prepared on the topic of Space Sustainability from a holistic perspective considering not only the in-orbit sustainability but also the other aspects of sustainability in the space industry.
The strategy for generation and protection of related Intellectual Property was created and its implementation started.
Key needs:
In-Orbit-Demonstration & Validation
•Customers in the space sector are risk-averse, to mitigate risks products need to show high technological readiness level (TRL) and flight heritage with in-orbit data.
o Lead customer for Plasma Brake found (Project Descent & additional potential undisclosed leads found)
o Potential lead customers for ARM-C demonstration found (undisclosed)
o Discussions with ESA ESTEC re-started for conducting tests in their facilities
o Ongoing search for additional quick-to-orbit opportunities for Plasma Brake demonstration / verification including sounding rockets and 0G flights
Customer & demonstration missions provide valuable data and references. In space sector these references are crucial for winning new deals.
Sustainable Space regulations, incl. EU space regulation
• Space sustainability regulations especially the FCC-5year rule has driven demand for deorbiting solutions, and we have won our first customer case due to the customer needing to be compliant with the regulation.
• EU rules regarding debris mitigation, such as Space Traffic Management (deorbiting & collision avoidance) would be important from sustainability point-of-view, but also drive significant demand for Aurora’s products.
In-Orbit-Demonstration & Validation
•Customers in the space sector are risk-averse, to mitigate risks products need to show high technological readiness level (TRL) and flight heritage with in-orbit data.
o Lead customer for Plasma Brake found (Project Descent & additional potential undisclosed leads found)
o Potential lead customers for ARM-C demonstration found (undisclosed)
o Discussions with ESA ESTEC re-started for conducting tests in their facilities
o Ongoing search for additional quick-to-orbit opportunities for Plasma Brake demonstration / verification including sounding rockets and 0G flights
Customer & demonstration missions provide valuable data and references. In space sector these references are crucial for winning new deals.
Sustainable Space regulations, incl. EU space regulation
• Space sustainability regulations especially the FCC-5year rule has driven demand for deorbiting solutions, and we have won our first customer case due to the customer needing to be compliant with the regulation.
• EU rules regarding debris mitigation, such as Space Traffic Management (deorbiting & collision avoidance) would be important from sustainability point-of-view, but also drive significant demand for Aurora’s products.