2023-11-15 11:00:05
By Sofia Pichihua
PerúSAT-1 is three years away from concluding its estimated period of activity. In addition to optimizing fuel consumption to maintain and extend its operational time, the Peruvian Space Agency – Conida must ensure that space debris does not affect our observation satellite. Discover what actions are taken to protect PerúSAT-1 and how it will be prevented, upon “retirement”, from becoming dangerous space debris for other scientific instruments.
Since the beginning of the space age – on October 4, 1957 – there has been more space debris in orbit than operational satellites, reveals the European Space Agency (ESA) in a detailed report on space debris. Space debris is defined as all man-made objects, including their fragments, that are in Earth orbit or re-entering the atmosphere and are non-functional.
Each year, ESA publishes a report with estimates on the number of space junk, that put satellites managed by space agencies around the world at risk. Thus, the 2022 edition projects that there are 34,000 objects with dimensions greater than 10 cm; 900,000 objects from 1 cm to 10 cm; and 128 million, from 1 mm to 1 cm. Even the smallest ones can represent a risk to a scientific instrument because the impact might generate a change in orbit, which would affect its operation.
The Peruvian satellite PerúSAT-1 is in a low orbit (LEO) that crosses the poles, 702.5km away from Earth. The satellite is moving at a speed of 27,000 km/h. It is precisely in that area where space debris abounds.
Colonel FAP José Ivan Céspedes Caceresdeputy director of the National Satellite Imagery Operations Center (CNOIS) – Conida, explains to the Andean agency that he United States Space Command (United States Space Command) warns, days in advance, of possible impacts with space debris.
“In 2019 we were impacted by small debris, which did not affect the nominal operation of our satellite system,” he recalls. However, this work is not taken lightly. Given any report, it is analyzed whether a maneuver is required to avoid the impact.
However, the space debris is not the only risk that might affect the operation of PerúSAT-1, also space weather such as strong solar activity.
In both cases, Conida personnel evaluate the execution of maneuvers to temporarily change the orbit of the Peruvian satellite. As a consequence, this action leads to greater fuel consumption, which can shorten its uptime.
“We have a simulation room where we review possible failure scenarios so that staff can analyze and see what they have to do within the scope of their responsibility so that if this type of situation happens we can be prepared and make very informed decisions. fast and efficient,” he says.
Will PeruSAT-1 become space junk?
The short answer is yes, but the risk will be minimized. When it stops operating, the Peruvian satellite must be changed from orbit to the “space graveyard”, 500 km away. This is when a disintegration process will begin over 20 to 25 years, which has been planned since its manufacture.
“It is not going to disappear completely. It is going to become debris, but with reduced sizes to avoid impacts,” he says.
To date, Conida is working on an investment formulation project that seeks to acquire a new satellite, PerúSAT-2. Gustavo Henríquez Camacho, head of the Conida Office of Cooperation and International Relations, told A Peruvian man that the national space agency is currently working on the Peru SAT-2 investment project.
“The idea is to continue providing the service to all public entities that currently consume satellite images. This project is in the formulation stage and we hope that PeruSAT-1 will not only last the 10 years for which it has been designed, but will also have an extended lifespan, as is known in this type of technology,” he said.
(FIN)SPV
Published: 15/11/2023
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