Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHRMission support for space agencies and satellite operators: As a strong partner for higher safety in orbit, Fraunhofer FHR provides with its unique in Europe Space Observation Tracking and Imaging Radar TIRA indispensable radar images and precise analyses of objects for missions of active space debris removal (ADR) and on-orbit servicing (OOS).
There is rush hour on the Earth’s orbits: more and more satellites circle the Earth to fulfill their important tasks, e.g., in navigation, communication, Internet, or Earth observation. On certain orbits, capacities are already extremely strained. Added to this is the enormous amount of circulating debris, increasing the risk of damage or destruction of satellites due to collisions.
Concepts for clear paths in orbit become a key issue
To counter the growing traffic and the increasing danger from debris on Earth orbits, space agencies and companies worldwide are vigorously developing concepts to reduce and prevent space junk. Active debris removal (ADR) missions deal with the active removal of manmade residues in space such as rocket bodies. On-orbit servicing (OOS) are missions with assembly, maintenance, and repair work on satellites to extend their operational life. Fraunhofer FHR provides important support for both: in the lead-up to and during such missions, the objects of interest can be precisely imaged with TIRA, and the resulting radar data can be used to analyze their technical condition and movement behavior.
High-resolution ISAR images and analyses of target objects
For successful ADR/OOS missions, the respective authorities or companies need information about the object that is not readily obtainable from Earth: Is the attitude stable or rotating? Are there damages to the hull or missing components? Fraunhofer FHR offers the solution: With TIRA the institute can provide the necessary data for the missions and reliably support both planning and execution.
National and international demands for capabilities
The experimental system TIRA is unique in Europe for observing objects in space: at thousand-kilometer distance it can detect objects as small as two centimeters. In fact, Fraunhofer FHR has already provided numerous mission-support services with TIRA: nationally for the Space Situational Awareness Centre in Uedem, and internationally for ESA, CNES, and JAXA to name a few. Fraunhofer FHR has, among other things, been commissioned to monitor several Japanese H-IIA launch vehicles over multiple years, analyzing their technical condition and movement behavior under JAXA’s CRD2 program for active removal of large space debris.
TIRA a key partner for all aspects of space safety
Space debris will continue to increase, thus the danger to active satellites from fragments will also rise. In the future, an up-to-date situational picture will be essential and active deorbiting and debris avoidance will be key topics; Fraunhofer FHR offers with TIRA important support in all three areas for future missions.