Sustainability｜Axelspace

Axelspace is a company running a space business, but above all, is a responsible representative of Planet Earth. There are actions we can take to ensure a long-lasting future where humans can continue living on Earth while utilizing the surrounding Space.

Increasing space debris, for example, is one of the well-known environmental issues in space. Setting high standards for satellite design, manufacturing and operation, Axelspace will prevent satellites from becoming space debris after completing their missions in orbit, making Axelspace a leading company in maintaining space sustainability.

We conduct business on a foundation of eco-friendliness to Earth and the surrounding space.

The “Green Spacecraft” is a set of standards Axelspace is proposing to ensure space sustainability, mainly defined by Earth-friendly spacecraft manufacturing methods and measures to prevent satellites from becoming space debris in Earth orbit. Axelspace will commit to meeting the Green Spacecraft standard for all of our satellites by mandating a wider range of requirements than the conventional guidelines set by governments and international organizations.

The moment that all global space businesses meet the Green Spacecraft standard, humanity can take a big step towards finally resolving issues surrounding the space environment. Axelspace will continue to encourage the whole industry to support the Green Spacecraft standard to achieve space sustainability.

The Green Spacecraft Standards

Manufacturers and operators of a satellite certified as “Green Spacecraft” must meet the following standards. Quantitative criteria are to be determined.

Sustainable Manufacturing

Every organization involved in the satellite manufacturing complies with the “Green Spacecraft Manufacturing Guidelines” which aim to minimize the environmental burden in all the manufacturing process including procurement and transportation.
Collision Avoidance

In-orbit operations to avoid a collision with foreign objects must be performed to reduce the collision probability to a sufficiently safe level.
Secure Disposal after EOL

After terminating the mission operation, the satellite must be deorbited within a predetermined period of time with a sufficiently high success rate.
* Satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) should lower the altitude to enter the atmosphere.
Safe Re-entry

Materials selection and structural design must be carefully performed to ensure that the risk of residue reaching the ground is at a sufficiently safe level at the time of re-entry to the atmosphere for disposal.
Contribution to Establishment and Dissemination of International Standards

The organization shall support the purpose of SSR (Space Sustainability Rating), the sustainability assessment system currently being designed for space business operators, and proactively contribute to the establishment of effective rating indicators and its dissemination to the industry. Upon its official launch, a high level rating shall be acquired and maintained.
* Axelspace is actively supporting SSR activities as a beta tester.

Offering a dedicated ferry to the afterlife for post-mission satellites

D-SAIL is a deorbit device developed by Axelspace in cooperation with SAKASE ADTECH CO., LTD. When activated, it deploys a large membrane surface, causing drag resistance that acts as a brake to the satellite's orbital motion in Low Earth Orbit with thin atmospheric conditions. D-SAIL allows satellites after the end of orbital operation to enter the atmosphere in less than 10 years, while international guidelines require it to be within 25 years.

D-SAIL has been selected as one of the demonstration themes of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) satellite program called “RApid Innovative Payload Demonstration SatellitE-3 (RAISE-3)”, and is scheduled for in-orbit demonstration by March 2023. It is planned to become the standard equipment on all satellites developed by Axelspace in the future.

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