Future trends of commercial In- Orbit Satellite Servicing, Active Debris Removal and End-Of Life services

Abstract

Abstract Space debris growth has become a major threat not only to satellites as well as to the safe operations of the International Space Station (ISS). In September 2021, there were more than 4,700 operational satellites, 36,5000 space debris objects larger than 10 cm and 1 000 000 pieces in the 1cm to 10 cm range. The total mass of all space objects in Earth Orbit is 9,600 tonnes[1]. The launches of Starlink, Amazon Kuiper and OneWeb satellite constellations will increase the threat of space debris collisions. Satellite owners, operators, space agencies and commercial players owning the mega-constellations will need to find economically viable ways to inspect, refuel, augment, extend and manage the lifetime of their satellites. Some of the emerging trends taking place in the space industry are on- orbit satellite servicing, active debris removal services and end-of life services. With the technology demonstrations on orbit of Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV-1), MEV-2 and ELSA-d missions promising In Orbit Satellite (IOS), markets are emerging and expected to reach up to $ 6.2 bln by 2030[2]. The objective of this paper is to identify the role of Bulgarian organisations in the future emerging of in- orbital satellite (IOS) and space situational services markets. Bulgaria’s historical space competencies can contribute to the development of user-driven services/ solutions for space debris inspection, collision avoidance, space robotics and in- orbit servicing and assembly. By encouraging the creation of a new space eco-system in the domain of space debris and space situational awareness in South-Eastern Europe, Bulgarian companies and research organisations are bound to play an important role in the future space robotics markets.