Space missions are becoming more and more complex, they include combinations of new types of spacecraft, and their in-space logistics requires access to multiple targets .
A new type of mission called active debris removal (ADR) will be tested soon, including with the ClearSpace-1 mission. Their purpose is to capture space debris (defunct satellites and others) and dispose of them, for instance by lowering their altitude so they burn in the atmosphere.
The optimised deployment of large constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is a challenge. Launch vehicles equipped with a kick stage can deploy the satellites directly on their correct orbit, saving propellant in the satellites’ tanks.
In the near future, a more complex and interconnected space logistic network will exist around the Earth and the Moon, requiring new, improved simulation capacity to design missions.
Orbits description (2D) for constellation deployment use case
Orbits description (2D) for ADR use case.
3D plot distribution of a constellation on 3 planes, with 36 satellites per planes
3D plot distribution of the constellation on 18 planes, with 2 satellites per planes
For the two mission types mentioned above, the orbits of the debris or the satellites being deployed and their number will impact the optimal path to perform the mission. The Technology Comparison and Analysis Tool (TCAT) computes the required fleet (launch vehicles + active spacecraft) to perform the mission, assigns a plan of manoeuvres to each of them, and computes several technical key performance indicators (KPIs) to help engineers compare different mission profiles / architecture.
Based on the active spacecraft designs, the tool optimises the fuel consumption with manoeuvres that are more or less efficient depending on a trade-off weight between the mission duration and its cost. At the moment, the tool does not optimise the design of the active spacecraft.
TCAT and ACT are compatible and may become more interconnected in future projects.
Achievements so far :
- Development of the tool (with ClearSpace - project Sunrise)
- Addition of the “constellation deployment” scenario
- Refraction of the output files
- Deployment of the tool in an online user interface
- Improvement of the models (in progress)
- Addition of new use cases (in progress)
References
- R. Wertz, D. F. Everett, and J. J. Puschell, Eds., Space mission engineering: the new SMAD. Hawthorne, CA: Microcosm Press : Sold and distributed worldwide by Microcosm Astronautics Books, 2011.
- Olivier L. de Weck et alli, SpaceNet v1.3 User's Guide, 2007