Understanding Future Technical Risk

Tender description

The UK is now embarking on a new and exciting direction in space, with ambitions to enable horizontal and vertical launches from the UK, as well as looking to license and regulate novel space systems in orbit, such as large constellations consisting of hundreds of satellites, or in-orbit service missions to remove space debris and service spacecraft. However, with any new and original activity comes risk. In performing the licensing for both Launch and Orbital missions, it is essential that the UK Space Agency is able to fully understand these risks. The goal of this engagement day is to better understand some of the technical risks and issues that the UK Space Agency needs to consider. We want to use this event to raise some of the technical questions within the community and to understand where current research and capability lies to address these. We can then consider the potential for proposals to solve some of these questions and/or better understand these issues. The day will be split across two topics: • Large constellations in LEO: With operators planning new and increasingly large and complex constellations of satellites, issues such as collision risk/avoidance, constellation management, trade-offs between the safety of operator's satellites and continuity of the service, cyber-security and RF interference are of potential importance. UKSA would like to understand both these and other issues that may evolve should the number of large constellations grow. • Proximity operations: From space tugs to active debris removal, to on-orbit servicing. UKSA would like a better understanding of the roadmap and timelines of future proximity operation missions, as well as the potential consequences in their implementation