Collision avoidance (spacecraft)
Encyclopedia
In spaceflight, collision avoidance is the process of preventing a spacecraft
from colliding with any other vehicle or object.
s. A launch window is said to have a "COLA blackout period" during intervals when the vehicle cannot lift off to ensure its trajectory does not take it too close to another object already in space.
conducted by a spacecraft
to avoid colliding with another object in orbit. One is most commonly used in order to avoid a piece of space junk.
Collision avoidance manoeuvre conducted by the International Space Station
consist of a short burn by the main engines of a docked cargo spacecraft - usually a Progress spacecraft
or Automated Transfer Vehicle
- in order to raise or lower the orbit of the station by a few kilometres.
Another use of a collision avoidance manoeuvre is to abort an automated docking, and such a procedure is built into the software that controls the docking of Automated Transfer Vehicles to the ISS. This can be initiated by the crew aboard the space station, as an emergency override, in the event of a problem during the docking. This manoeuvre was demonstrated shortly after the launch of the first ATV, Jules Verne
, and subsequently during demonstration approaches to the space station which it conducted in late March 2008.
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
from colliding with any other vehicle or object.
Launch Windows
Collision avoidance, or COLA is a concern during spaceflight launch windowLaunch window
Launch window is a term used in spaceflight to describe a time period in which a particular launch vehicle must be launched. If the rocket does not launch within the "window", it has to wait for the next window....
s. A launch window is said to have a "COLA blackout period" during intervals when the vehicle cannot lift off to ensure its trajectory does not take it too close to another object already in space.
On Orbit Avoidance
A collision avoidance manoeuvre or Debris Avoidance Manoeuvre (DAM) is a manoeuvreOrbital maneuver
In spaceflight, an orbital maneuver is the use of propulsion systems to change the orbit of a spacecraft.For spacecraft far from Earth—for example those in orbits around the Sun—an orbital maneuver is called a deep-space maneuver .-delta-v:...
conducted by a spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
to avoid colliding with another object in orbit. One is most commonly used in order to avoid a piece of space junk.
Collision avoidance manoeuvre conducted by the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
consist of a short burn by the main engines of a docked cargo spacecraft - usually a Progress spacecraft
Progress spacecraft
The Progress is a Russian expendable freighter spacecraft. The spacecraft is an unmanned resupply spacecraft during its flight but upon docking with a space station, it allows astronauts inside, hence it is classified manned by the manufacturer. It was derived from the Soyuz spacecraft, and is...
or Automated Transfer Vehicle
Automated Transfer Vehicle
The Automated Transfer Vehicle or ATV is an expendable, unmanned resupply spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency . ATVs are designed to supply the International Space Station with propellant, water, air, payload and experiments...
- in order to raise or lower the orbit of the station by a few kilometres.
Another use of a collision avoidance manoeuvre is to abort an automated docking, and such a procedure is built into the software that controls the docking of Automated Transfer Vehicles to the ISS. This can be initiated by the crew aboard the space station, as an emergency override, in the event of a problem during the docking. This manoeuvre was demonstrated shortly after the launch of the first ATV, Jules Verne
Jules Verne ATV
The Jules Verne ATV, or Automated Transfer Vehicle 001 , was an unmanned cargo resupply spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency . The ATV was named after the French science-fiction author Jules Verne...
, and subsequently during demonstration approaches to the space station which it conducted in late March 2008.
See also
- Space debrisSpace debrisSpace debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk, and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to erosion, explosion...
- Collision avoidanceCollision avoidanceIn spaceflight, collision avoidance is the process of preventing a spacecraft from colliding with any other vehicle or object.-Launch Windows:Collision avoidance, or COLA is a concern during spaceflight launch windows...
(disambiguation)