Impact of the Arrival of Micro/Mini-Launchers and Micro-Satellite Constellations on RAMS Activities

The space transportation is entering an area of expansion and innovation. Micro/mini-launchers projects are multiplying to meet the needs of New Space players to put into orbit large quantities of small satellites. In order to reduce their costs, they are counting on a simplification of operations for high launch rates, and are looking for flexible launch sites. The Europe's spaceport, the Guiana Space Center, will offer many advantages for hosting this launcher's family, while guaranteeing the safety and reliability of flights. The deployment of large constellations of small satellites raises the problem of orbital debris on usual Earth orbits. Currently, only a small percentage of satellites is deliberately deorbited. The resulting risks of collisions and explosions in orbit has led to the implementation of preventive and corrective actions at national and international levels. In this context, the improvement of the satellite reliability model during its life is a key to choose the best moment and guarantee the operations of passivation and deorbitation for satellites at their End-of-Life. To face these new Reliability and Safety problematics, the RAMS departments at the French Space Agency (CNES) are working on new methods to cope with the New Space background.

Keywords: Micro-launcher, Mini-launcher, Micro-satellite, Reliability, RAMS, Space, New space, Safety.

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