Exhibit 5. Average Deorbit Cost by Satellite Size (1 – 1,000 kg)<\/h6>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]As seen in Figure 5, there is a significant change in cost depending on both the satellite\u2019s size and altitude. For a 1000 kg medium-class satellite, the mission cost is as much as 200% more expensive than a CubeSat-class satellite. Following a similar trend, at an 800 km Sun-synchronous orbit, a satellite is up to 140% more expensive to deorbit than an equivalent sized satellite in a 400 km ISS orbit.<\/p>\n

It is interesting to note that there is break-point at the 500 km altitude where average costs increase by as much as 25%, regardless of the satellite size. The cause of this step-function increase is due to higher altitudes being associated with additional hardware costs. Above the 500 km range, increased performance requirements dictated additional non-recurring and spacecraft production expenditures which, in-turn, created higher mission costs.<\/p>\n

Combining both altitude and size, we find that the difference between deorbiting a CubeSat-class satellite in a 400 km ISS Orbit and a 1000 kg medium-class satellite could be as much 300%. These findings indicate that a tiered incentive approach based on the satellite\u2019s physical and orbital characteristics, rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy, may be necessary. Intuitively, this seems to make sense \u2013 the larger the satellite, the more potential debris that might be generated during a collision, hence, the larger the penalty or incentive. Additionally, varying incentive schemes by altitude may be an effective way to de-clutter the more crowded orbits.<\/p>\n

It is worth noting, deorbit pricing is highly sensitive to the deorbiter\/servicer’s overall utilization. This analysis assumes a 100% utilization rate, which may or may not be a realistic depiction of the number of deorbit missions the market requires. The lower the utilization rate, the higher individual mission costs will be, as they will share a larger portion of amortized costs. A hybrid approach that combines deorbit missions with other types of satellite servicing may necessary to fully occupy the servicer’s time in orbit and create a sustainable business model.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCLUSIONS<\/h3>\n

The growing congestion of near-earth orbit offers significant challenges for humanity\u2019s long-term space ambitions, but the emergence of satellite servicing technologies is spurring a new era of possibilities for debris clean-up. As legislators begin to take a more active role in the space environment, it is critical that they push towards a regulatory future that emphasizes debris removal, as well as mitigation. Focus should be on eliminating large objects in space, rather than smaller ones, as these are the greatest contributors to catastrophic scenarios, such as the Cascade Effect.<\/p>\n

It appears that using a small spacecraft servicer to actively deorbit satellites is not all that cost prohibitive. While at the low-end of the market (i.e., CubeSat-class), the cost is roughly equivalent to the satellite itself, at the higher-end (i.e., medium-class) it is only a small fraction of total satellite cost (less than 10%). Alternative approaches, such as native deorbit systems or detachable devices could potentially lower the costs for satellite disposal even further, making debris removal activities even more accessible.<\/p>\n

From penalties to cap-and-trade systems to bounty programs, there are a variety of legislative programs that can be implemented to incentivize industry actors. The ultimate goal of such policies should be to encourage users to rapidly dispose of their satellites once they reach end of life. Establishing a baseline for deorbit costs provides a useful frame-of-reference for policy makers as they begin to consider new orbital debris legislation.<\/p>\n

Certainly, the costs of active debris removal activities will vary based on the technology and approach being used, but the order of magnitude is likely to remain the same as the figures shown here. Cost estimates such as these should serve as guides for policy makers as they begin developing incentive structures to preserve the shared public good that is outer space.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”default” custom_height=”20″][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” top_padding=”2%” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”2635″ alignment=”center” animation=”Grow In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”50%”][vc_column_text]\n

Lead Economic Analyst, SpaceWorks<\/h6>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” width=”3\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]\n

Caleb Williams<\/h3>\n

Caleb Williams is the Lead Economic Analyst at SpaceWorks Enterprises, where he oversees delivery of business strategy and economic analysis engagements for private-sector clients. His primary focuses include market demand modeling, parametric cost assessment, business case development, and strategic analysis. He received degrees in Economic Consulting and Marketing from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”default” custom_height=”20″][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” top_padding=”2%” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”2636″ alignment=”center” animation=”Grow In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”50%”][vc_column_text]\n

Economic Analyst, SpaceWorks<\/h6>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” width=”3\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]\n

Stephanie DelPozzo<\/h3>\n

Stephanie DelPozzo is an Economic Analyst at SpaceWorks Enterprises, where she specializes in the market research for the future LEO economy and emerging small satellite industry. She received degrees in Political Science and Economics from Florida State University.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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