Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Airbus Active Debris Removal Service

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Advances in Astronautics Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

With the increasing number of both functional and defunct space assets being present in orbit, and having a better understanding of the space environment, it is clear that there is a need for active debris removal (ADR) today if not in the very near future. Previous demonstrators have been successful such as the RemoveDEBRIS mission which was co-funded by the European Commission and produced by a set of partners. Airbus have also worked extensively on other projects to develop the capability to rendezvous and capture objects in space (such as the ATV with 5 successful flights, e-Deorbit, DEOS, and Space Tug). Airbus have been working with agencies and industry to create a removal service with the aim of being both technically feasible and at an attractive price point to potential customers. The capture solutions have been outlined and an example mission profile is shown for providing the service for a mega-constellation operator. With this setup, a total of 20+ spacecraft could be deorbited with a single ADR vehicle which would provide an affordable price point.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ADR:

Active debris removal

DoF:

Degrees of freedom

GNC:

Guidance, navigation and control

IOD:

In-orbit demonstrator

NRHO:

Near-rectilinear halo orbit

OOS:

On-orbit servicing

VBN:

Visual-based navigation

References

  1. ESA Space Debris Office, ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany. https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers. Accessed 27 Aug 2020

  2. Potential satellite collision shows need for active debris removal. SpaceNews. https://spacenews.com/potential-satellite-collision-shows-need-for-active-debris-removal/. Accessed 27 Aug 2020

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Airbus Defence and Space Ltd, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2AS, Hertfordshire, UK

    A. Hall & P. Steele

  2. Airbus Defence and Space SAS, Rue des Cosmonautes, 31400, Toulouse, France

    J. Moulin & E. Ferreira

Authors
  1. A. Hall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Steele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Moulin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Ferreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Hall.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hall, A., Steele, P., Moulin, J. et al. Airbus Active Debris Removal Service. Adv. Astronaut. Sci. Technol. 4, 1–10 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42423-020-00064-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42423-020-00064-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation