ESA's ERS-2 showdown with Re.Entry
As ESA #ERS-2 satellite's reached the end of its mission and began its journey towards reentry, it serves as the perfect case study for our team to unveil the capabilities of our Re.Entry software solution.
The latest version of Re.Entry includes:
✅ Direct CAD import, facilitating integration of complex spacecraft models
✅ Physics-driven breakup event
✅ Detailed debris dispersion analysis
Watch demo below:
Predicting reentry and breakup events of satellites is a complex task due to several factors:
🔹 The dynamics of reentry involve interactions between the satellite and Earth's atmosphere, which varies greatly in density, composition, and temperature at different altitudes. This variability makes it challenging to accurately model the aerodynamic forces and heating experienced by the satellite during reentry.
🔹 The behavior of a satellite during breakup is influenced by its design, construction materials, and their response to extreme reentry conditions. Different materials may undergo varying rates of ablation, fragmentation, or melting, leading to uncertainties in predicting the breakup sequence and resulting debris distribution.
🔹 The satellite's orientation, tumbling motion, and structural integrity during reentry also affect its breakup dynamics, adding further complexity to the prediction process.
These uncertainties highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and refinement of prediction models, as well as the development of advanced software solutions.
🚀 Watch the Re.Entry demo on ERS-2 to see how Re.Entry addresses the challenges of uncontrolled reentry and breakup events, offering reliable predictions accessible to all.
More than 300 debris have been simulated, further emphasizing the critical need for mitigation strategies in managing space debris.
About ESA’s ERS-2
Launch Date: April 21, 1995
Mission: European Remote Sensing Satellite dedicated to Earth observation
Payloads:
Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR): Provided high-resolution radar imaging for various applications, including mapping ice fields and tracking ocean currents.
Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME): Spectrometer designed to study atmospheric composition, contributing to the understanding of ozone depletion and atmospheric chemistry.
Scientific Contributions:
Monitored polar ice caps, aiding in the study of climate change.
Studied ocean dynamics and contributed to oceanography research.
Provided critical data for understanding the Antarctic ozone hole.
Supported applications in climatology, geology, and disaster monitoring.
Operational Lifespan: Nearly three decades
Controlled Reentry: Coordinated by the European Space Agency on September 6, 2011, to safely dispose of the satellite and minimize orbital debris.
Legacy: Left a significant impact on Earth observation, contributing to scientific research, disaster management, and global environmental understanding.
