Session
Session X: Space Access
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The long-awaited era of dedicated small satellite launches has arrived, and with it, new challenges and responsibilities for launch providers. For decades the focus has been on providing a frequent, reliable and affordable service to space for small satellites. With this now a reality, the question on the industry’s mind is how to cope with the growing challenge of orbital debris from high-volume launch. Following Rocket Lab’s recent successful orbital launches, a growing number of commercial launch players are looking to provide a service to orbit for the burgeoning market. Given space’s significance as a global resource, the safe and sustainable management of the domain must be a global priority. Significant responsibility for this rests with launch providers.
This paper looks at the orbital debris challenges associated with high-volume launch and the enabling characteristics of innovative deployment technology for both functional spacecraft benefit and sustainable debris management.
Making Space on Orbit: Responsible Orbital Deployment in the Era of High-Volume Launch
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The long-awaited era of dedicated small satellite launches has arrived, and with it, new challenges and responsibilities for launch providers. For decades the focus has been on providing a frequent, reliable and affordable service to space for small satellites. With this now a reality, the question on the industry’s mind is how to cope with the growing challenge of orbital debris from high-volume launch. Following Rocket Lab’s recent successful orbital launches, a growing number of commercial launch players are looking to provide a service to orbit for the burgeoning market. Given space’s significance as a global resource, the safe and sustainable management of the domain must be a global priority. Significant responsibility for this rests with launch providers.
This paper looks at the orbital debris challenges associated with high-volume launch and the enabling characteristics of innovative deployment technology for both functional spacecraft benefit and sustainable debris management.
