Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) offers attractive opportunities for space applications. ESA is calling for novel ideas to advance our understanding of what is possible in VLEO.
Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), situated at an altitude between 100 and approximately 450 km (most commonly 250-350 km) is becoming increasingly attractive for both commercial and scientific endeavours. "It is easier to get to, requires fewer resources for communications, and allows for smaller payloads. For example, high resolution imaging can be achieved for Earth observation with smaller satellites and optics than in higher orbits", saysLuca Maresi, ESA lead engineer and campaign manager.
VLEO is relatively safe from collisions with space debris, as objects naturally decay and re-enter Earth's atmosphere at an accelerated rate due to residual drag. The more benign radiation environment makes it possible to use terrestrial grade, general purpose electronic components. VLEO may become attractive for a variety of low cost systems or constellations given the lower launch cost and higher versatility in launch options, such as micro-launchers and in-orbit transfer vehicles.
However, operating at such altitudes comes with challenges, such as shortened lifespans due to residual atmosphere, active orbit maintenance, surface erosion from atomic oxygen and short communication windows.
To better understand VLEO and the opportunities it offers, ESA is launching a Call for Ideas, looking for new, innovative ways to take advantage of the unique characteristics of VLEO and how to mitigate their challenges. The call is run by theDiscoveryelement of ESA's Basic Activities through theOpen Space Innovation Platform (OSIP), together with the General Support TechnologyProgramme (GSTP),Incubed,ArtesandScaleUp.
"The Call is driven by the vision of ESA'sAgenda 2025, which calls for Europe to step up its role in space and help create new markets for space technologies that facilitate access to space, reduce launch and operational costs and serve green agendas. Sustainability is a particularly important element for ESA activities, as outlined by theSpace for a Green Future Accelerator.", says Leopold Summerer, Head of ESA's Advanced Concepts and Studies Office.
New missions and system concepts that take advantage of the unique properties of VLEO, or that improve operational aspects in comparison with higher orbits.
New technology development activities specific to VLEO, such as atmospheric-breathing propulsion, protective materials and coatings, navigation and control. Ideas related to re-entry and possible re-use of space assets are also encouraged.
Research activities specific to better understand VLEO challenges and opportunities.
In line withAgenda 2025, ideas for activities with commercialisation potential are especially encouraged, andScaleUpis one of the implementation options offered to successful candidates.
All ideas should include a short and clear description of the innovative aspects of the system, technology or research proposed and the potential value of those innovations from different perspectives.
Send us your ideas
Submit your idea by 19 November, though early submissions are highly encouraged as they benefit from a longer discussion period.
If it is novel and suitable for implementation within ESA, you will be invited to mature it into a proposal. The Campaign is open for submissions for participants registered in one of ESA Member States, Associate Member States or Cooperating States.
You can find all the details of the timing, process and conditionshere.
Most of the LEO satellites are used for Earth or space observation and science. The best examples of LEO satellites are the Hubble space telescope, the Spot family of satellites (Earth imaging and survey) and military observation satellites.
Globalstar is a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications, somewhat similar to the Iridium satellite constellation and Orbcomm satellite systems.
A low earth orbit (LEO) satellite is an object, generally a piece of electronic equipment, that circles around the earth at lower altitudes than geosynchronous satellites. LEO satellites orbit between 2,000 and 200 kilometers above the earth.
Very low Earth orbit (VLEO) can provide significant benefits over higher altitudes. Higher resolution or lower cost missions can enabled by operating in VLEO.Orbital debris collision risk and radiation damage are also shown to be reduced.
LEO is the orbital range closest to Earth, which also means it's the easiest orbit to reach in terms of energy and rocket power. Satellites that orbit up to 1,200 miles above earth are in LEO. They include the International Space Station, the Hubble Telescope and some 4,000 Space X Starlink satellites, to name a few.
Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) is most commonly situated at an altitude of between 250-350 kilometres. It has the advantage of being closer to the earth than the traditional orbit of satellites, allowing for higher resolution images from optical sensors, improved communications and agility.
It is normally at an altitude of less than 1000 km but could be as low as 160 km above Earth – which is low compared to other orbits, but still very far above Earth's surface.
low Earth orbit (LEO), region of space where satellites orbit closest to Earth's surface. There is no official definition of this region, but it is usually considered to be between 160 and 1,600 km (about 100 and 1,000 miles) above Earth.
The downside with LEO satellites is that many are needed to cover any specific geographical area. LEO satellites orbit the Earth many times per day, so as each satellite flies over the coverage area, another one must follow behind it, ready to take over the communication once the first satellite has passed the area.
Though the precise nature of future benefits from space exploration is unpredictable, current trends suggest that significant benefits may be generated in areas such as new materials, health and medicine, transportation, and computer technology.
LEO satellites provide higher data throughput than MEO and GEO satellites. They can transmit and receive data at a faster rate, allowing for more efficient data transfer.
LEO is commonly used for communication and remote sensing satellite systems, as well as the International Space Station (ISS) and Hubble Space Telescope.
Satellites in HEO are primarily used for communication, navigation, scientific research, and military applications. A variety of satellites, such as TESS, have been placed in HEO.
The satellites travel very close to the Earth (as low as 200 km above sea level), so they must travel at very high speeds of nearly 8,000 m/s. Satellites with polar orbits are used for monitoring the weather, military applications (spying) and taking images of Earth's surface.
Disadvantages: susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and link failures. Advantages: high coverage, low latency, ability to overcome geographic conditions. Disadvantages: susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and link failures. Advantages of LEO satellites include low-latency and global coverage.
MEO has historically been used for GPS and other navigation applications. More recently, HTS MEO constellations have been deployed to deliver low-latency, high-bandwidth data connectivity to service providers, government agencies, and commercial enterprises.
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