Recycling Space Debris as a Stepping Stone Towards a Permanent Lunar Presence
Y. Heumassej (European Space Agency (ESA), Student TU Delft)
A. Cervone (TU Delft - Astrodynamics & Space Missions)
S. Vincent-Bonnieu (European Space Agency (ESA), TU Delft - Reservoir Engineering)
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Abstract
This study proposes the concept of recycling space debris as a novel means of supplying material resources for the establishment of a permanent Lunar presence while simultaneously cleaning up Earth's orbital environment. Upon the creation of a space debris dataset and characterizing debris objects as resources and reserves, spent Ariane 5 upper stages in GTO are identified as prime candidates for recycling. However, orbital transfer alignment poses a critical challenge due to orbit perturbations over time. Mission scenarios, including debris capture, transfer and Lunar processing, are analyzed, with global mission energy expenditure used to compare them to direct material delivery missions. Both chemical and electric propulsion transfer architectures are highlighted as enabling feasible and efficient recycling mission scenarios, with potential energy savings of up to 30% per kg of material. The significant reduction in launch mass as a direct consequence of capturing the mission payload in orbit allows for the inclusion of rideshare configurations, increasing efficiency to over 60% less energy investment per kg.