SSTL and Astroscale team up to tackle space debris

Initially, SSTL will supply Astroscale with a ‘Target’ satellite for its ELSA-d (End-of-Life Service by Astroscale-demonstration) mission. Astroscale’s own ‘Chaser’ satellite will be coupled with the Target during launch, but the two will undergo a series of separation and capture manoeuvres to showcase the capabilities required for space debris tracking and removal.

The Target satellite will incorporate S-Band communications, GPS positioning, a 3-axis control system and laser retro-reflector. A docking plate with optical markers will also be attached to the Target, enabling the Chaser to identify and estimate attitude during the docking, while a HD camera and lighting will be used to record the capture sequences.

According to SSTL, the mission will demonstrate technologies such as rendezvous & docking and proximity operations. Capture manoeuvres will be guided by algorithms, with the complexity of the operations increasing over the lifetime of the mission.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Astroscale, a like-minded, innovation-driven company seeking to make space business viable for commercial operators,” said Sir Martin Sweeting, executive chairman of SSTL. “This practical solution to debris mitigation has the potential to provide a cost-effective approach for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the space environment for all.”