The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for a unique experiment: deliberately crashing a spacecraft into Earth’s atmosphere to study what happens during destructive reentry. The mission, called Draco (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), aims to gather real-world data on how spacecraft materials behave when exposed to extreme heat and pressure, a process currently reliant on simulations and limited lab testing.
The Problem of Space Debris and Atmospheric Pollution
As more satellites are launched, the risk of space debris increases. Uncontrolled reentries pose two key problems: potential casualties if debris survives to reach the ground, and atmospheric pollution from the materials that burn up. Current reentry models are imperfect, making it difficult to design spacecraft that fully disintegrate without leaving behind harmful residues. The goal is “design for demise” – building satellites that break apart entirely in a controlled manner.
How Draco Will Work
Slated for 2027, the Draco spacecraft will be roughly washing machine-sized (150–200 kg) and equipped with over 200 sensors and four cameras. It will enter a low Earth orbit before being intentionally directed into the atmosphere. As it burns up, the sensors will measure temperature, strain, and pressure, while the cameras will record the destruction process. Data will be transmitted via a geostationary satellite connection before the capsule splashes down into an uninhabited ocean area.
Why This Matters: Beyond Just Safety
Experts emphasize the importance of understanding reentry ablation products—the materials released during burnup. These emissions can affect the upper atmosphere, potentially influencing ozone levels, climate balance, and even polar cloud formation. While the Draco mission isn’t the only effort in this field, it will provide vital real-world data that could improve reentry models, leading to safer and more environmentally responsible spacecraft designs.
“Understanding how different materials behave as they burn up could help engineers design satellites that fully disintegrate, leaving nothing behind in orbit or in the atmosphere,” ESA explains.
The mission is a step towards more sustainable space practices, addressing the complex interplay between safety and environmental concerns. The results are expected to inform the development of “demisable” satellites by 2030, reducing the long-term risks associated with space debris.
