Master's Thesis Proposal

Ismael Rodríguez Sesma

(Faculty Advisor: Prof. Dimitri Mavris)

"Integrating End-Of-Life Considerations into Cislunar Constellation Design: Development of and EOL Capability Metric and Analysis Framework"

Mon. October 30

9:00 a.m.

Weber, CoVE

Abstract:

The rapid expansion of governmental and commercial activity in cislunar space demands a transition from mission-specific exploration to sustainable, infrastructure-level operations. Yet, current constellation design methodologies for the Earth–Moon system prioritize coverage and cost while neglecting End-Of-Life (EOL) considerations. This omission risks reproducing in cislunar space the long-term congestion and debris issues that emerged in low Earth orbit. This thesis addresses that gap by integrating disposal feasibility and sustainability directly into the early-stage design of cislunar spacecraft constellations.

The research develops a unified optimization framework that combines Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) dynamics, multi-objective constellation design, and EOL strategy formulation. Central to this framework is the End-of-Life Capability Metric (ECM); a normalized, dimensionless indicator that quantifies an architecture’s ability to achieve compliant disposal under realistic dynamical and operational constraints. The ECM incorporates the fraction of successfully disposed spacecraft, propellant expenditure, and cumulative risk associated with execution failure, containment loss, and collision probability.

An analysis environment implements this framework by coupling CR3BP propagation with performance, cost, and ECM evaluation. Using Design Of Experiments to explore the design space, the framework aims to explore trade-offs among constellation performance, system cost, and EOL capability.

The expected outcome is to show that embedding EOL capability as a co-equal design objective enables identification of cislunar constellation architectures that remain dynamically stable, fuel-efficient, and compliant with emerging sustainability norms. In doing so, this research advances proactive stewardship of the cislunar environment and establishes a quantitative foundation for future design standards that link mission performance, cost effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.

Committee:

Prof. Dimitri Mavris (advisor), School of Aerospace Engineering
Prof. Thomas González Roberts, School of Aerospace Engineering
Prof. Tristan Sarton Du Jonchay, School of Aerospace Engineering
Prof. Bradford Robertson ,School of Aerospace Engineering