3 ms·
To deorbit a satellite, you need an antenna (to receive the command), electricity (working solar panel / battery), working on board computer, fuel, correct atti
by Nodraak 7y ago
To deorbit a satellite, you need an antenna (to receive the command), electricity (working solar panel / battery), working on board computer, fuel, correct attitude determination. So basically you need a full working satellite. As soon as one of these element fails, your satellite is dead. At 10-20 k dollars per kg, you dont want to add another satellite to your already expensive satellite.
Concerning rules, there is some progress, because nobody wants a Kessler syndrome, too much is at stake. For instance, European satellites are launched only if they naturally deorbit in less than 25 years (for LEO, of course. Above a certain height, atmospheric drag is too weak).
- Sanzig 7y agoActually, the newly-proposed FCC rules would require fail-safe deorbit systems when operating above 550 km and below 2000 km. Above 550 km, most stuff takes more than 25 years to deorbit, and the NGSO volume below 2000 km is considered the most useful (and thus most likely to get crowded). These fail-safe systems should be designed to cause the satellite to deorbit within 25 years of activation. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-159A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-159A1.pdf The FCC hasn't proscribed exactly what these look like (that's implementation), but electrodynamic tethers would seem likely.