Re-entry Control protects people, infrastructure and air traffic during the last hours of a spacecraft's life. The programme determines where and when a decaying object will come down and, where possible, shapes that descent into a controlled corridor over open ocean, far from populated areas.
- Re-entry window narrowed continuously from space-weather data
- De-orbit burns shaped into cleared ocean corridors
- Survivability analysis producing a debris footprint
- Direct coordination with aviation and maritime authorities
Re-entry protection
Atmospheric density is the dominant uncertainty during re-entry. We combine space-weather indices, thermospheric models and observed drag behaviour to continuously narrow the re-entry window as the object descends and enable timely protective measures.
Corridor shaping
For spacecraft with remaining propulsion, the programme designs de-orbit burns that place the footprint inside a cleared ocean corridor, balancing propellant margin against ground-casualty risk.
Fragment survivability
Thermal and structural break-up analysis estimates which components survive to the surface, producing a debris footprint rather than a single impact point — the basis for realistic risk assessment.
Authority coordination
Risk corridors, footprints and timing updates are shared with aviation and maritime authorities so airspace and shipping lanes can be protected and cleared in time.