KMI Answers the Call For Sustainable Space Leadership
Maria Berishaj, Project Managing Associate
Corinne Moore, Technical Business Development Associate
3.5 minute read
Intelsat has broadcast a call for sustainable space leadership and KMI is here to answer it. In this call, Intelsat identifies the three most important pillars for responsibly ensuring the safe and continued use of space as Measure, Adapt, and Assess & Correct. Founded in 2019, KMI began our journey in Keeping Space Clear for All by addressing the ongoing problem of orbital debris. With our technology (Laelaps, TumblEye, and REACCH), KMI supports the first two pillars in Intelsat’s tools and framework of Measure and Adapt, and are active in the process of Assess & Correct with our capabilities for in-orbit servicing and cleaning orbits of debris.
Measure
“Operators and regulators need to have access to real-time data about space objects, satellites and debris for orbit and spectrum management.”
KMI recognizes the value and necessity of access to real-time data, researching methods, and data characteristics that promote transparency and increase the chances of mission success for those who are pursuing ADR, such as KMI. Debris information, including object size, shape, makeup, characteristics, and tumble rate is often not available in public repositories, generating uncertainty and inefficiency in debris-removal and space-servicing missions. The availability of this in-depth and accurate data leads to more efficient and successful missions. This is where TumblEye, our proprietary software, steals the show with the ability to determine tumble rate with sometimes limited information. When there is more information provided, missions are better planned in advance and can utilize fewer resources in the demanding expanse of space. For example, if an ADR spacecraft were to go to an object and upon approach discover the characteristics were not as expected and the object was not safe to capture, the resources such as fuel and labor used in that mission would need to be re-evaluated before a new mission plan could be generated and at a potential loss of investment.
Adapt
“Existing licensing rules must be adapted beyond the current GEO queuing mechanism, and applications must include a roadmap for incremental additions as well as end of life planning for the deorbit of satellites.”
KMI heavily supports this pillar since the solution for Sustainable Space cannot be ADR alone. Rather, we need to change how we do things to make a positive impact at a quicker pace. While KMI leads and supports ongoing solutions for ADR, we also acknowledge that retrieval is only one piece of the solution. We need government intervention to drive developing solutions, data gathering, and regulation to prevent further unnecessary debris creation. As seen in Senate bill S. 447 ORBITS Act of 2023, this issue has also caught the attention of our legislators who are calling for $150 million over the next 5 years for better tracking of orbital debris and funding of technology to solve this growing problem. KMI wholeheartedly supports this effort and has made our voice heard to our representatives and senators to encourage their collaboration and support, and will continue to do so through participation in listening sessions and ongoing conversations.
Assess & Correct
“Simulation tools along with collision avoidance mechanisms, in-orbit servicing and cleaning must be in place.”
This is a pillar crucial to KMI and is the central framework of our mission. One important aspect is the need for satellite servicing and orbital cleanup. Resources and time could be saved in an efficient manner by utilizing orbital debris as a source of resources or by providing servicing to objects that would otherwise become a debris hazard. KMI has developed technological components that have the ability to supply these services. Whether it’s taking a piece of orbital debris as a resource for a satellite in need or deorbiting the debris to clear critical orbital slots and remove future hazards, our technology is flexible enough to accommodate both plans of action. Most importantly, this must be done in an efficient and safe manner to avoid exacerbating the problem and creating additional debris.
KMI’s Ready Response
The Laelaps spacecraft is capable of establishing communication with ground stations, measuring thrust variations on the way to a target orbit, and rendezvousing with a targeted debris object. Laelaps features a client-agnostic attachment system that allows it to dock to any other object, opening up the opportunity to service in-orbit satellites and spacecraft. TumblEye enables us to evaluate the dynamic properties of a rotating object for ease of capture. Finally, the REACCH arms, which utilize a blend of electrostatic and gecko adhesion, allow for adherence to and capture of the dedicated object. Combined, Laelaps, TumblEye, and REACCH create the perfect harmony of technology that allows for the detection, retrieval, and removal of orbital debris.
KMI Laelaps Spacecraft.
Credit: La Dolce Video & Design
KMI participates in multiple programs, including APEX Accelerator, Catalyst Accelerator, Creative Destruction Lab, Hyperspace Challenge, and NewSpace Ignitor. KMI is also a proud member of CONFERS, Michigan Founders Fund, Paris Peace Forum, and the Small Business Association of Michigan, with active collaboration with Michigan SBDC, Campfire Coworks, The Center for Space Commerce & Finance (CSCF), Michigan Rise, TCNewTech, and A2NewTech in an effort to foster collaboration and growth for this vital industry.
As KMI continues working towards the pillars that Intelsat has broadcasted, we encourage all others in the industry to do the same, recognizing that they are essential in #KeepingSpaceClearForAll.
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