GEO Satellite De-Orbit, Deactivation, and Shutdown Considerations

Abstract

In recent years, an increasing amount of attention has been focused on space vehicle disposal. Not only must a satellite or launch vehicle perform its intended mission, but it also must extricate itself from the GEO or LEO orbital belt so that it does not become space debris. Many agencies such as the IADC, FCC, and the UN have proposed space debris mitigation guidelines or recommendations for deorbit altitude and deactivation. Boeing and its customers are continually working together to devise de-orbit and deactivation sequences that meet the spirit and letter of these recommendations. The disposal of a GEO spacecraft at end of life presents an operational challenge. The spacecraft must be de-orbited, vented and passivated, and finally shutdown before it exits the ground station field of view. All operations must be performed safely but within a minimum time frame to maintain ground visibility and minimize expenditures. The goal of this paper is to continue the dialogue with the global community regarding disposal guidelines that are reasonable and achievable and to establish a dialogue on operational complexities in safely and efficiently meeting disposal requirements that may not have existed when the spacecraft were designed and launched.