DEVISING A DEORBITATION STRATEGY FOR KAZAKHSTANI’S KazEOSat-1 SPACECRAFT

Abstract

The object of this study is the process of deorbiting the KazEOSat-1 spacecraft, which has completed its active service life in low Earth orbit. The main problem is the lack of an effective technique to deorbit KazEOSat-1, taking into account its technical characteristics, orbital parameters, and the need to minimize risks to the environment and other objects in orbit. As part of the work, a software model was built that takes into account the initial orbital parameters of the device, which are essential for planning and performing deorbiting maneuvers. The model is designed to accurately calculate the descent trajectory, taking into account the laws of celestial mechanics and the influence of atmospheric conditions. The optimal deorbiting strategy was selected based on an analysis of various methods for calculating orbital maneuvers aimed at reducing fuel consumption and minimizing environmental risks. This included a comparative analysis of existing approaches and the selection of the most suitable ones under the given mission parameters. The results of the simulation using precise modeling methods in the MATLAB software environment allowed us to determine the main deorbiting parameters, such as the altitude at which the maneuvers begin, the required velocity impulses, the total fuel consumption, and the expected time before entering the dense layers of the atmosphere. Based on the obtained data, practical recommendations were formulated for the KazEOSat-1 deorbit. The first stage, the active controlled deorbit, is carried out by operating the low-thrust engine and braking by the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the spacecraft to descend from 758 km to 444 km in 2.5 days. The second stage, the passive uncontrolled deorbit, continues the descent to 103 km in 969 days, using only atmospheric braking. The third stage, the uncontrolled drop, begins after reaching 103 km and ends with a drop to the Earth in 834 seconds.