Browsing by Author "Rowling, Samuel"

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    Design of a debris removal & on-orbit maintenance mission for mega-constellations
    (IEEE, 2023-05-15) Felicetti, Leonard; Basuiau, Mathieu; Belshi, Esli; Diener, Nell; Kutyla, Oskar; Laing, Callum; Noyon, Luka; Owen, Rhodri; Patayane, Shubham; Penney, Joshua; Rapicault, Aurélien; Rowling, Samuel; Shaikh, Shifa; Sherry, Florence; Weber, Alice
    This paper shows the results of the design of a mission providing a service of maintenance and removal of mega-constellations. The innovative concept inspiring the design of DeBROOM 2 , Debris Removal and On-Orbit Maintenance Mission, is that a combination of different services can be performed in a modular and standardized way by a single unit servicing satellites in each orbital plane of the constellation. This is achieved through a servicer, which carries both the equipment to refuel target satellites and active-debris removal and propulsive kits, dedicated to the extension of the mission lifetime of cooperative OneWeb satellites, via the takeover of the attitude and orbital control system, as well as to de-orbit uncooperative faulty OneWeb satellites from LEO. The design covers all the areas of system level design, including the definition of system and mission requirements, concept of operations, and mission concept design, along with the design of the servicer and propulsive kits. The paper highlights and identifies the key challenges, the main drivers, and the major traded-off options during the mission concept design. Particular focus is given to the mission analysis aspects, with a computation of the delta-V that characterizes the key maneuvers necessary to serve one or a selection of orbital planes constituting the mega-constellation. The feasibility of the mission is demonstrated by the relevant budgets, along with the utilization of high TRL and COTS components in almost all the key elements of the mission.
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    HySim: a tool for space-to-space hyperspectral resolved imagery
    (International Astronautical Federation (IAF), 2023-10-06) Felicetti, Leonard; Hobbs, Stephen; Leslie, Cameron; Rowling, Samuel; Dhesi, Mekhi; Harris, Toby; Brydon, George; Chermak, Lounis; Soori, Umair; Allworth, James; Balson, David
    This paper introduces HySim, a novel tool addressing the need for hyperspectral space-to-space imaging simulations, vital for in-orbit spacecraft inspection missions. This tool fills the gap by enabling the generation of hyperspectral space-to-space images across various scenarios, including fly-bys, inspections, rendezvous, and proximity operations. HySim combines open-source tools to handle complex scenarios, providing versatile configuration options for imaging scenarios, camera specifications, and material properties. It accurately simulates hyperspectral images of the target scene. This paper outlines HySim's features, validation against real space-borne images, and discusses its potential applications in space missions, emphasising its role in advancing space-to-space inspection and in-orbit servicing planning.
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    Towards in-orbit hyperspectral imaging of space debris
    (2023-01-26) Hobbs, Stephen E.; Felicetti, Leonard; Leslie, Cameron; Rowling, Samuel; Brydon, George; Dhesi, Mekhi; Harris, Toby; Chermak, Lounis; Soori, Umair
    Satellites are vulnerable to space debris larger than ~1 cm, but much of this debris cannot be tracked from the ground. In-orbit detection and tracking of debris is one solution to this problem. We present some steps towards achieving this, and in particular to use hyperspectral imaging to maximise the information obtained. We present current work related to hyperspectral in-orbit imaging of space debris in three areas: scenario evaluation, a reflectance database, and an image simulator. Example results are presented. Hyperspectral imaging has the potential to provide valuable additional information, such as assessments of spacecraft or debris condition and even spectral “finger-printing” of material types or use (e.g. propellant contamination). These project components are being merged to assess mission opportunities and to develop enhanced data processing methods to improve knowledge and understanding of the orbital environment.