Christian Imhof
Papers
1
Total Citations
31
H-Index
1
About
Christian Imhof is a leading aerospace engineer whose work centers on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing, with a particular focus on the safe disposal of defunct satellites. His most influential contribution is the detailed design and analysis of a mission to capture and deorbit Envisat, one of the largest and most hazardous pieces of space debris. As part of the ESA e.Deorbit consolidation phase study, Imhof’s 2020 paper, which has garnered 31 citations, outlines the use of an Airbus Spacetug to rendezvous with, capture, and safely lower the eight-ton satellite into a controlled reentry. This work is pivotal for establishing the technical feasibility and operational architecture of future debris removal missions. Beyond this flagship study, Imhof has contributed to the broader field of space sustainability, including research on rendezvous and capture mechanisms, tether-based deorbiting, and the regulatory challenges of active debris removal. His research directly informs the design of upcoming missions and helps shape international policy on space debris mitigation.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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