"The overall ReDSHIFT objective was to push for improved debris mitigation measures with the use of theoretical results on spacecraft orbital dynamics coupled with new technologies, such as solar and drag sails. The new paradigm of 3D printing was applied to enhance aspects of the spacecraft design and manufacturing concurring to the mitigation efforts, such as sail storage, shielding and design for demise (D4D). First, an analysis of the current mitigation measures was performed, to highlight their benefits and deficiencies. While it is well known that the fundamental step to preserve the space environment is the disposal of the spacecraft at end-of-life (EOL), the maneuvers needed to achieve this goal might not be practicable for energetic or technical reasons. A thorough understanding of the orbital dynamics allowed us to identify stability and instability region in space, and to exploit them to find preferential routes (dubbed ""deorbiting highways"") minimizing the energetic requirements for the operators, improving the applicability of the disposal maneuvers. Once identified, the maneuvers needed to reach the ""entrances"" to the highways or the graveyards were computed and the technical means to be used were identified. The project focused on a few passive technologies such as solar and drag sails. The theoretical aspects of the sail dynamics and the technological aspects of sail manufacturing were tackled. The focus was also on spacecraft designed for demise, to minimize the chances that chunks of the spacecraft might reach the ground. To make the solutions easier and more attractive to produce and implement in future spacecraft design, ReDSHIFT explored the possibility to use additive manufacturing (3D printing), to realize and test specific parts related to the debris mitigation, such as shielding, sail canisteris, joints, etc. and a model spacecraft.
The mapping, from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Orbit (GEO), is currently the most detailed available. Based on it, deorbiting strategies from every orbital regime were studied and implemented in the ReDSHIFT software. The effectiveness of the the deorbiting highways were demonstrated with long term simulations. The 3D printed spacecraft showed the advantages of the additive manufacturing in producing small satellites and will represent a viable solution for future space efforts. The samples performed well in the tests and proved to be ready for space qualification. The results were applied to the analysis of the regulations related to space debris and improved mitigation practices and rules were proposed.
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