Exploiting dynamical perturbations for the end-of-life disposal of spacecraft in LEO

TL;DR

This paper explores strategies for guiding low Earth orbit satellites to reentry within 25 years using impulsive maneuvers, considering natural perturbations and the potential of solar sails for improved disposal options.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of dynamical perturbations, including solar radiation pressure, to enhance end-of-life disposal strategies for LEO satellites, especially with solar sail augmentation.

Findings

Dynamical resonances are limited in aiding reentry for typical LEO objects.

Solar sails significantly expand disposal options for LEO satellites.

A new mitigation scheme leveraging these insights can be applied broadly.

Abstract

As part of the dynamical analysis carried out within the Horizon 2020 ReDSHIFT project, this work analyzes the possible strategies to guide low altitude satellites towards an atmospheric reentry through an impulsive maneuver. We consider a fine grid of initial conditions in semi-major axis, eccentricity and inclination and we identify the orbits that can be compliant with the 25-year rule as the target of a single-burn strategy. Besides the atmospheric drag, we look for the aid provided by other dynamical perturbations - mainly solar radiation pressure - to facilitate a reentry. Indeed, in the case of typical area-to-mass ratios for objects in LEO, we observed that dynamical resonances can be considered only in combination with the atmospheric drag and for a very limited set of initial orbits. Instead, if an area augmentation device, as a solar sail, is available on-board the spacecraft, we verified that a wider range of disposal solutions become available. This information is exploited to design an improved mitigation scheme, that can be applied to any satellite in LEO.