Mission and System Analysis

Institute for Space Systems

The Mission and System Analysis group of the Space Transport Technology Department is concerned with studies on the analysis of (novel) system and mission concepts with regard to their feasibility, environmental impact and technology demonstration.

Student work on the following topics can be found in the Institute's calls for proposals under "Space Transport Technology" or on request from the contact persons.

Current Projects

Novel decelerator concept, a rigidly deployable heat shield

Design not to Demise

Sustainable end-of-life management is essential for the future of spaceflight. Focusing on large space structures, system concepts for a non-destructive ("design not to demise") disposal of space objects are investigated. This work covers among others the following topics:

  • Mission analysis for EDL systems
  • EDL System Design
  • Novel design concepts for decelerators

Exploitation of the ‘Very Low Earth Orbit‘ regime (VLEO)

Development of methods for the targeted exploitation of the aerodynamic forces in this regime for orbit control purposes. This enables applications such as the propellant-free control of the relative motion of multiple satellites (formation flight) or the execution of maneuvers to reduce the risk of collision with space debris for any satellite without dedicated propulsion system (e.g. the institute’s own 'Flying Laptop‘ satellite).

Illustration of the benefits of sustained VLEO satellite operations.
The Word Exant, Letters each have individual layout
ExANT-Logo

ExANT

The team of ExANT is working on the conversion of technical, natural language software requirements by means of AI into a form that can be understood by computers and thus automatically processed. The goal is to save costs and time by minimizing errors in the development process and improving the content of future requirements documents.

Water propulsion system with compact electrolysis gas tank unit and ceramic engine in test operation

Water propulsions system

The IRS is developing a water propulsion system that uses electrolysis in space to generate hydrogen and oxygen and uses them as fuel. This offers a green alternative to current hydrazine engines, which face a ban in the coming years due to the European REACH regulation.

The propulsion system is scheduled to be deployed in 2025 as part of the ROMEO (Research and Observation in Medium Earth Orbit –> Link auf Projektseite) academic small satellite developed by the IRS. The main goal of the mission is to explore Medium Earth Orbit and demonstrate a future alternative to the heavily utilized LEO. Novel technologies will be tested and their suitability within the radiation belt demonstrated.

LCA of rockets: Impact of design & production, launch emissions and re-entry

Life cycle asessment of space transportation systems

In order to investigate the environmental impact of rockets, the project "Analysis for the ecological impact of space transportation systems" is carried out at the IRS. Using common LCA methodology, the following phases are investigated:

  • Impact of design & production on the environment
  • Emissions during launch
  • Environmental impact of re-entry
Mission Patch, links teilweise die Sonne, rechts teilweise die Erde, oben teilweise der Mond abgebildet. Im Zentrum graur Scheiben in unterschiedlichen Größen.
The International Planetary Sunshade (IPSS) Logo

The International Planetary Sunshade (IPSS)

To meet the climate goals, within the scope of a comprehensive systems analysis, the possibilities for optimizing the effects of the climate crisis on a global as well as local level by using a logistically as well as technologically modeled sunshade constellation - the International Planetary Sunshade - are being investigated. The project includes, among others, the following key aspects:

  • Development of a digital IPSS model within an international open-source modeling platform
  • Integration of sustainable concepts using space resources
  • Linking of technological models with potential climate models

Kontakt

This image shows Stefanos Fasoulas

Stefanos Fasoulas

Prof. Dr.-Ing.

Professor of Space Transportation Technology, Head of the IRS Institute, Dean of Studies at Faculty 6 - Aerospace Technology and Geodesy

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