ESA’s DRACO Mission: Understanding Satellite Breakup
The European Space Agency (ESA) is gearing up for a groundbreaking mission set to launch in 2027. The mission named DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object) is designed to study the disintegration of satellites as they reenter Earth’s atmosphere. This initiative is a crucial step in ESA’s mission to develop technology that will minimize the creation of space debris, a growing concern in space exploration.
ESA has entrusted the construction of this innovative satellite to Deimos, a European technology company. The spacecraft aims to provide valuable data as it breaks apart during reentry, offering scientists insights into satellite disintegration and its environmental impact.
DRACO’s Innovative Design
Weighing in at 200 kilograms, DRACO is about the size of a washing machine. What sets DRACO apart is its specially engineered design that allows it to break apart like a typical satellite. However, a unique capsule within DRACO, measuring 40 centimeters, is designed to survive reentry. This capsule will be equipped with four cameras and 200 sensors to capture essential data during the breakup process. Following reentry, the capsule will deploy a parachute, transmitting the collected information before being lost at sea.
Advancing Zero Debris Technology
Holger Krag, ESA’s Head of Space Safety, highlights the significance of the DRACO mission in shaping future satellite technology. The data gathered from this mission will pave the way for the development of more demisable satellites by 2030 in line with ESA’s Zero Debris charter. This charter aims to halt the creation of space debris within this decade, emphasizing the importance of sustainable space practices.
Tim Flohrer, head of ESA’s space debris office, echoes the mission’s importance in driving advancements in zero-debris technologies. With the continuous rise in satellite launches globally, the need for innovative solutions to mitigate space debris has never been more critical.
By embarking on the DRACO mission, ESA is spearheading efforts to enhance our understanding of satellite breakup dynamics, paving the way for a cleaner and safer space environment. Through collaborations with leading technology companies like Deimos, ESA is driving forward initiatives that will shape the future of space exploration.