The rapid increase in satellites and objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), driven by reduced launch costs, has amplified the risk of catastrophic collisions, known as Kessler’s Syndrome. To address this, ESA introduced the Zero Debris Charter, which mandates strict timelines for deorbiting satellites to minimize space debris.
The consortium set out to design Charon, an autonomous deorbiting system for CubeSats, capable of ensuring reliable deorbiting even in worst-case scenarios, such as when a satellite loses communication immediately after launch. In these situations, the system must independently decide to initiate deorbiting without any input from ground control.
The goal was to create a universal module compatible with CubeSats (starting from 6U). The module should leverage high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) components from consortium partners. Moreover, it must comply with ESA’s orbit clearance standards and offer a scalable solution for future missions.
