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End-of-Mission Passivation: Successes and ChallengesThe passivation of spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages at end-of-mission has been a principal space debris mitigation measure world-wide since the 1980 s. Space vehicle passivation includes the removal of stored energies, especially those associated with propulsion and electrical power systems. Prior to 2007 the breakup of non-functioning, non-passivated space vehicles was the major source of hazardous debris in Earth orbit. The United Nations and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee have both included passivation in their formal space debris mitigation guidelines. This often simple countermeasure has been adopted by many spacefaring countries and organizations and has undoubtedly prevented numerous major satellite breakups. For some existing space vehicle designs, passivation requires changes in hardware, software, and/or operational procedures. Questions about the permissible degree of passivation for both current and future space vehicles have arisen and are addressed herein. An important element to be considered is the potentially long period in which the space vehicle will remain in orbit, i.e., up to 25 years after mission termination in LEO and for centuries in orbits above LEO. Finally, the issue of passivation of space vehicles which have failed prematurely is addressed.
Document ID
20130001570
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Johnson, Nicholas (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Matney, Mark (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2012
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-27571
Meeting Information
Meeting: Sixth European Conference on Space Debris
Location: Darmstadt
Country: Germany
Start Date: April 22, 2013
End Date: April 25, 2013
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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