Recycling space debris for lunar applications
A mission design and energy analysis perspective
Y. Heumassej (European Space Agency (ESA), Student TU Delft)
A. Cervone (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
S. Vincent-Bonnieu (European Space Agency (ESA))
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Abstract
AbstractThis study investigates the feasibility of using space debris as a supplemental resource for Lunar infrastructure, with a particular focus on the mission design and energy requirements of debris transfer operations. While recycling methods themselves remain at a conceptual stage, this work establishes a technical baseline for how orbital debris—specifically upper stages in GTO could be captured and transported for Lunar processing. The analysis highlights the central challenge of orbital transfer alignment under long-term perturbations and evaluates multiple capture and transfer scenarios, comparing them against direct material delivery missions. Both chemical and electric propulsion architectures are assessed, demonstrating potential energy savings of up to 30 % per kilogram of material, with further reductions when rideshare configurations are employed. By quantifying the mission energy expenditure, this study clarifies the role that efficient transfer design can play in making debris recycling a viable supplement to In-Situ Resource Utilization and reducing reliance on costly terrestrial launch. The results are intended to inform future research on processing methods by first establishing the transfer architectures under which recycling missions could realistically operate.