Now that the Space Shuttle has been retired, are there any spacecraft available that can retrieve an object from orbit and return it safely to Earth?
What would be the maximum size of such an object?
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asked Dec 10, 2013 at 9:05
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5$\begingroup$ X-37B payload bay size is classified, although you can guesstimate it. $\endgroup$– Deer HunterDec 10, 2013 at 9:32
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1$\begingroup$ Maximum retrievable mass varies as a function of the object's orbit, location of the launch site, and a few other factors. $\endgroup$– Deer HunterDec 10, 2013 at 9:35
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2$\begingroup$ Classified? Boeing gives the payload bay dimensions as 7' x 4'. web.archive.org/web/20150321121050/http://www.boeing.com/boeing/… $\endgroup$– Russell BorogoveAug 19, 2015 at 2:15
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2 Answers
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There are several issues here. Volume, and mass for return through the atmosphere.
There is of course the next question of, how do I get this object?
Currently Soyuz can return about 100-150 lbs of mass. Volume wise it is very limited, since the descent capsule is very cramped and needs room for three cosmonauts.
Dragon from SpaceX is the only other vendor publicly available. (X-37B is a classified system, so who knows). Internally it has more volume, but has a 'door' that is volume limiting.
SpaceX has reported about 2500KG downmass. In principle, they could probably fill the capsules entire volume. But the door on the cargo Dragon is the size of the CBM port which is 50 inches in diameter. So the ultimate size is limited.
In terms of 'getting' the object to be retrieved, right now, the answer is via the space station, or via something a Dragon or Soyuz can dock/berth too. Aside from unknown capabilities of the X37-B, there is no system available to approach, grapple, and the return with an object free floating. If you want to return something from the ISS, Dragon or Soyuz might be able to help. If it is a satellite in orbit on its own, not many options at all.
The CRS-2 contract includes funding for a cargo version of Dream Chaser that will be able to dock at the ISS and return measurable amounts of cargo. But same issues of docking, grappling, bay doors, etc.
SpaceX is proposing a cargo/satellite version of Starship, expecting it to capture the vast majority of commercial orbital lift. If they can meet their price point or even close, they will be able to undercut every other launch provider.
That will require a vehicle that can disgorge a payload, and will have tons of performance, and likely could recover something if someone was willing to pay for it.
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$\begingroup$ But why would you go through all that effort to bring an entire satellite to the ground intact? If it has outlived its useful life, it'd seem that placing it in a graveyard orbit or on a controlled possibly steep deorbit into one of Earth's large pools of water after using up any remaining propellant would suffice in the vast majority of situations. I don't know how they do it for e.g. spy satellites, but that's about the only case where I can even imagine something other than those two options being seriously considered. Are there others? $\endgroup$– userDec 12, 2013 at 14:53
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2$\begingroup$ @MichaelKjörling: An object might have no use as "equipment", but one might hope to gain knowledge by studying it in ways that would only be practical on Earth. $\endgroup$– supercatOct 20, 2014 at 23:04
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ESA has Space Rider in development. First launch is planned for 2022 on a Vega-C.
Planned payload is 800 kg.
