What happens to a spacecraft as it dramatically tumbles back to Earth? This is the core of the European Space Agency’s Draco mission. The mission will send a specially designed spacecraft, loaded with sensors, into our atmosphere.
As the Draco spacecraft descends, it will gather data on how various materials react while burning up and how they might pollute the upper atmosphere. Think of it as a scientific test in the sky.
The ESA is committed to its ambitious Zero Debris strategy, aiming to curb space debris generated by out-of-control satellites. In line with this, scientists are keen to explore what happens when spacecraft disintegrate. Holger Krag, ESA’s Head of Space Safety, emphasizes the need for more understanding of these processes to enhance satellite design. He states that the data gathered will be crucial for developing “demisable” satellites by 2030.
The Draco satellite, expected to launch in 2027, will weigh between 330 to 440 pounds—similar in size to a washing machine. It will intentionally reenter Earth’s atmosphere over an uninhabited ocean area about 12 hours after reaching orbit. This operation is important as it allows for safe monitoring of its descent.
Equipped with 200 sensors and four cameras, Draco will monitor temperatures, pressures, and the stress on its structure during reentry. After deploying its parachute, it will relay information back to Earth via a geostationary satellite for approximately 20 minutes before splashing down. This data, often lost in traditional testing, will provide insights into how materials respond when faced with intense heat and pressure.
According to Aaron Boley, a professor at the University of British Columbia, uncontrolled reentries pose risks to people on the ground and can disrupt air traffic. The materials released during reentry could also pollute our atmosphere. Developing spacecraft that completely disintegrate could reduce these risks, but it also leads to concerns about atmospheric pollution.
Boley adds that studying the types of materials released during these events is vital. Such data could illuminate how these emissions impact the upper atmosphere and contribute to broader issues like climate change and ozone layer depletion.
Leonard Schulz from the Technische Universität Braunschweig also emphasizes that the findings from the Draco mission could pave the way for future research. In-situ measurements could fill gaps in our understanding of how spacecraft behave during destructive reentries.
Finally, Luciano Anselmo from the National Research Council in Italy notes that the Draco mission’s specific trajectory and design will help collect highly relevant data, which might provide unexpected insights that could steer future investigations in space safety.
The Draco mission ultimately aims to enhance our understanding of satellite behavior during reentry, paving the way for safer, more environmentally friendly space operations.
