A million dollar mission wants to be destroyed in the name of science

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing a mission that will lead to destruction.

the goal? Analyzing what happens to a satellite as it falls to Earth. The task is called Dracowhich in free translation means Destructive Reentry Evaluation Container Object.

During 70 years of space exploration, around 10,000 intact satellites The rocket bodies returned to the atmosphere, according to the European Space Agency. However, little is known about the final moments of these objects. To complete the mystery, a capsule specially designed to survive the destruction will relay information about the event.

The European Space Agency has previously signed a development contract with Demos (a European group working on developing space technology), worth 3 million euros, and it is being launched. Scheduled for 2027.

Satellite It will weigh about 200 kg It will be the size of a washing machine, and will not contain a payment system or connected navigation and communications systems, as it will be controlled remotely.

After being launched by the missile, it will reach a height of no more than 1000 km It will fly for a maximum of 12 hours. Finally, you will once again enter an uninhabited ocean area, with its presence 200 sensors Four cameras record the end and store the data.

The importance of destruction

After the end of each task it is necessary Remove the launched satellitepreventing the production of space debris and keeping Earth's orbit clean. To do this, they could be built for controlled re-entry or “designed to die,” completely disintegrated, as would be the case with a DRACO mission.

As the number of launches and reentries increases, it is necessary Environmental impact studyAnd we understand more and more about how parts and particles of spacecraft materials erode and break down in the upper atmosphere. The data generated by the capsule will guide the development of better and more sustainable technologies.

What would Draco look like?

Project manager Stijn Lemmens told the ESA website that the capsule is equipped with sensors and cameras that should be powerful enough to collect data for as long as possible. The surrounding satellite is burning. According to Lemmens, the ultra-resistant capsule system works as follows:

“On the other hand, its indestructible capsule must be able to withstand return forces, as well Computer system protection Throughout the violent destruction while still connected to the sensors, with cables spread out like an octopus.