ESSAIM cluster, composed of four microsatellites from MYRIADE family, was decommissioned at the end of 2010. CNES has early been concerned with space activity sustainability and had successfully conducted disposal operations for 10 GEO satellites and 3 LEO satellites in the last 25 years, but it was the first time that 4 close satellites had to be deorbited at the same time. A specific effort had thus to be made regarding collision risk issue, between the ESSAIM satellites themselves and

more »

... other operational satellites. A specific and robust maneuver strategy could be set-up that allowed to avoid collision risks between the ESSAIM satellite during disposal operations and over a long term, even in maneuver degraded case. During operations, maneuvers were checked and adapted to take into account other operational satellites on the way. This paper presents the objectives and constraints of ESSAIM disposal operations, explains the maneuver strategy, describes the operational phase and gives the final orbits, which are fully compliant with the international recommendations and with the French Space Act.