A unique contract has been signed. The Spanish space expert Deimos secured a 3 million euro agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) at the end of September to build a satellite designed to be destroyed just 12 hours after its launch. Named Draco (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), the ESA-led mission aims to observe the final moments of the satellite until complete disintegration, with a launch scheduled for 2027. The total value of the contract between Deimos and the ESA amounts to 17 million euros.
“While it is challenging to gather data from a satellite throughout its destruction, recreating the exact conditions on Earth is currently impossible. We can conduct experiments to test different materials and spacecraft components in wind tunnels, but on a limited scale,” explained Stijn Lemmens, Draco project manager at the ESA, in a press release. The mission is expected to enhance satellite design for controlled disintegration purposes.
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An indestructible capsule within a destructible satellite
The satellite, which weighs 200 kilograms and lacks propulsion, navigation, or communications systems, should not pose challenges for the designers. However, they must include a small capsule within the satellite capable of withstanding atmospheric disintegration to safeguard data collection and storage.
The satellite will be meticulously observed during its final moments. A total of four cameras and 200 sensors will monitor the satellite’s entry and dissipation in the atmosphere. Once disintegration is complete, the 40-centimeter capsule that stores all the data will descend into the ocean using a parachute. This capsule will be responsible for transmitting the telemetry data collected during its approximately 20-minute descent.
The flight plan is straightforward: the rocket carrying the satellite will ensure it aligns correctly on its trajectory. After only 12 hours of flight and at an estimated altitude of 1,000 kilometers, the satellite will begin its atmospheric entry over an uninhabited ocean area before disintegrating.
The ESA had already launched a mission to observe atmospheric entry in 2013, deploying an infrared camera inside one of the resupply vessels for the International Space Station (ISS) during its destruction. The sensors on the Draco mission will also measure temperature and voltage exerted on various parts of the satellite.
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Deimos and ESA’s Innovative Draco Mission to Observe Satellite Destruction
A contract like no other. The space specialist Deimos, based in Spain, signed a 3 million euro contract at the end of September with the European Space Agency (ESA) to manufacture a satellite destined to be pulverized… 12 hours after its launch. Called Draco (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), the mission led by the space agency aims to observe the very last moments of the satellite until its total dislocation, with a launch planned for 2027. The agreement between Deimos and the ESA reached a total value of 17 million euros.
“Even though it is difficult to obtain data from a satellite throughout its destruction, it is currently impossible to recreate the exact circumstances on Earth. We can use experimentation to test different materials and elements of a spacecraft in wind tunnels on a limited scale,” explains Stijn Lemmens, Draco project manager at ESA, in a press release. The mission should in particular make it possible to improve the design of satellites with a view to controlled disappearance.
An Indestructible Capsule in a Destructible Satellite
Lacking propulsion, navigation, or even communications systems, the 200-kilogram zombie satellite should not pose any problems for designers. However, they will have to house in the vessel a small capsule capable of resisting atmospheric disintegration to protect the collection and storage of data.
Because the satellite must be scrutinized in the smallest details during its last moments, a total of four cameras and 200 sensors must record the entry and consumption of the satellite in the atmosphere. Once disintegration is complete, the 40-centimeter capsule storing all the data must land in the ocean using a parachute. The capsule will be responsible for sending the data collected by telemetry during its landing of approximately 20 minutes.
Flight Plan and Launch Details
The flight plan sticks to the rustic: the rocket loaded with launch the satellite will align it on its trajectory. After only 12 hours of flight and at an altitude estimated at 1000 kilometers, the satellite must begin its entry into the atmosphere above an uninhabited ocean area before disintegrating.
The ESA had already launched an atmospheric entry observation mission in 2013, placing an infrared camera inside one of the resupply ships of the International Space Station (ISS) when it was destroyed. The Draco mission’s sensors will also have to measure the temperature and the voltage exerted on the different areas of the satellite.
Benefits of the Draco Mission
- Enhanced Data Collection: The Draco mission will gather unprecedented data on satellite destruction, leading to advancements in spacecraft design.
- Improved Space Debris Management: The mission aims to contribute to better strategies for controlling and eliminating space debris, an increasing global concern.
- Sustainable Space Exploration: By studying how satellites disintegrate, future missions can be designed with sustainability in mind, minimizing environmental impact.
Technical Aspects of the Mission
The technical components involved in the Draco mission are unique. Four key technologies are at the mission’s core:
- Cameras and Sensors: Multiple sensors and cameras will provide real-time data capture during reentry.
- Telemetry Systems: Robust telemetry systems will ensure the safe transmission of data back to Earth.
- Heat Shielding: Advanced materials will protect the indestructible capsule from extreme heat and pressure during atmospheric descent.
- Destruction Modelling: Data collected will help simulate and predict destruction patterns for future spacecraft.
Potential Challenges Ahead
Despite its innovative nature, the Draco mission faces several challenges:
- Data Collection Difficulty: Capturing data during destruction is inherently challenging and requires advanced navigation and stabilization technologies.
- Atmospheric Variability: Changes in atmospheric conditions can influence the satellite’s trajectory and data accuracy.
- Technical Failures: As with any space mission, there is always a risk of technical failures that could hinder data collection efforts.
First-Hand Experiences from Previous Missions
Similar projects, such as earlier ESA missions aimed at monitoring satellite destruction, paved the way for Draco. These missions helped discover vital data about atmospheric reentry conditions and satellite behavior, setting a precedent for the Draco mission’s ambitions.
Conclusion
The Draco mission by Deimos and ESA embodies a novel approach to understanding satellite destruction. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, the mission will enhance future satellite designs and contribute to the management of space debris. This landmark mission sets the stage for technological advancements and valuable data collection in aerospace engineering.
