The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) is committed to sustainable space!

Tallinn, 29 October 2024

The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics officially signed up to the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Zero Debris" Charter on Tuesday at the "Software Defined Space Conference" in Tallinn. This charter aims to make space missions debris-neutral by 2030, by eliminating debris left in orbit after missions. Three unique installations in the world, including the latest novelty, DRAG-ON, meet this objective. These VKI facilities can be discovered during the institute's open day on 24 November on the outskirts of Brussels.

Space debris, consisting of fragments of satellites, rockets and other objects, poses a growing danger to space missions. It is estimated that there are about 128 million pieces of debris larger than one millimeter in orbit around the Earth (Source: CNES). ESA's "Zero Debris" Charter was developed with the participation of more than 40 actors in the space sector and signed by more than 100 organisations, including research centres and international organisations, as well as 12 countries.

Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA, stressed at the Berlin International Air Show (ILA) the importance of protecting the future of our most valuable and crucial space assets by keeping Earth's orbits free of debris. By jointly signing the Zero Debris Charter, the various entities are demonstrating global leadership in the mitigation and remediation of space debris.

For Peter Grognard, Director General of VKI, "By adhering to the Debris Zero Charter, VKI is committed to helping the space sector operate sustainably and responsibly, thus contributing to a cleaner and safer space." Through unique facilities such as the Plasmatron, which simulates the atmospheric re-entry of spacecraft, the Longshot, a hypersonic facility to study the defragmentation of space objects, and DRAG-ON, which tests electric propulsion for debris mitigation, the VKI conducts innovative research projects to support the space industry and ESA. Coupled with advanced digital capabilities and expert analysis, these are the ideal tools to support and validate a zero-debris approach".

Deorbiting and destroying during atmospheric reentry

DRAG-ON, the new VKI facility, supports research into Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) applications. This orbit is ideal for managing space debris. At these altitudes, satellites and debris fall back to Earth in a few days or weeks, making it easier to dispose of them. This natural process of "automatic cleaning" makes the VLEO promising for a more responsible and sustainable use of space. The Plasmatron and the Longshot respond to a change in mentality. Today, while it is still important to protect vehicles during re-entry, it is crucial to ensure that debris is deorbited and destroyed during re-entry. In addition to its research efforts, the VKI integrates space debris management into its educational programs, raising awareness of this critical issue among its students.

To be discovered on November 24!

To go further in its awareness-raising policy, the VKI will also open its laboratories to the public on 24 November, inviting families and children to discover its facilities. Register now!