English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

The rapid advancement and miniaturization of spacecraft electronics, sensors,actuators, and power systems have resulted in growing proliferation ofsmall-spacecraft. Coupled with this is the growing number of rocket launches,with left-over debris marking their trail. The space debris problem has alsobeen compounded by test of several satellite killer missiles that have leftlarge remnant debris fields. In this paper, we assume a future in which theKessler Effect has taken hold and analyze the implications on the design ofsmall-satellites and CubeSats. We use a multiprong approach of surveying thelatest technologies, including the ability to sense space debris in orbit,perform obstacle avoidance, have sufficient shielding to take on small impactsand other techniques to mitigate the problem. Detecting and tracking spacedebris threats on-orbit is expected to be an important approach and we willanalyze the latest vision algorithms to perform the detection, followed byquick reaction control systems to perform the avoidance. Alternately there maybe scenarios where the debris is too small to track and avoid. In this case,the spacecraft will need passive mitigation measures to survive the impact.Based on these conditions, we develop a strawman design of a small spacecraftto mitigate these challenges. Based upon this study, we identify if there issufficient present-day COTS technology to mitigate or shield satellites fromthe problem. We conclude by outlining technology pathways that need to beadvanced now to best prepare ourselves for the worst-case eventuality ofKessler Effect taking hold in the upper altitudes of Low Earth Orbit.

Building Small-Satellites to Live Through the Kessler Effect