Insurance premium rate calculation system and insurance premium rate calculation method

The insurance premium calculation system addresses the risk of spacecraft collisions by calculating premiums based on de-orbiting device presence, reducing collision risks and insurance costs, and promoting their use to improve the orbital environment.

JP7800894B2Active Publication Date: 2026-01-16BULL CORP
View PDF 3 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022044265
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-18
Publication Date
2026-01-16
Estimated Expiration
2042-03-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The increasing number of spacecraft in orbit, including debris, poses a significant risk of collisions, leading to high insurance costs due to potential damages and liabilities, necessitating a system to accurately calculate insurance premiums based on the presence and configuration of de-orbiting devices.

Method used

An insurance premium calculation system that includes a collision probability calculation unit and an insurance premium calculation unit, determining the probability of a spacecraft colliding with other objects and adjusting insurance rates accordingly based on the presence of a de-orbiting device.

Benefits of technology

Enables accurate calculation of insurance premiums, reducing collision risks and insurance claims, thereby optimizing insurance rates and promoting the use of de-orbiting devices to enhance the orbital environment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007800894000007
    Figure 0007800894000007
  • Figure 0007800894000008
    Figure 0007800894000008
  • Figure 0007800894000009
    Figure 0007800894000009
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a premium rate calculation system and a premium rate calculation method capable of properly calculating a premium rate for a space plane equipped with a deorbit device.SOLUTION: The premium rate calculation system includes a collision probability calculation unit that calculates the probability of collision with other flying objects by a spacecraft equipped with a deorbit device and a premium rate calculation unit that calculates a basic premium rate for insurance for the spacecraft and on the basis at least the collision probability a premium rate for an insurance for the spacecraft equipped with the deorbit device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an insurance premium rate calculation system and an insurance premium rate calculation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the space-related business has been developing significantly, and many spacecraft, such as artificial satellites and space stations, are flying in orbit around the Earth. Meanwhile, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an insurance sales support technology that supports the sale of insurance products by providing customers with information on the risk of losses occurring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-209702 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the number of spacecraft has increased due to factors such as the emergence of "satellite constellations," in which thousands to tens of thousands of spacecraft cooperate to perform various functions. However, the probability of spacecraft colliding with other flying objects has increased due to the problem of spacecraft that continue to fly in orbit even after their missions have ended, as well as so-called debris (space junk), including pieces of damaged spacecraft. Because spacecraft are very expensive and can fly at high speeds, the damage and liability to others that may result from a collision can be enormous. Therefore, there is a growing need for insurance to cover damages and compensation to others related to such spacecraft collisions.

[0005] As a measure to reduce the collision probability of spacecraft, PMD (Post Mission Disposal) is used to remotely de-orbit a spacecraft after its mission ends or if it has become debris for some reason. This method involves activating a de-orbiting device (de-orbiting device) pre-installed on the spacecraft to remotely de-orbit the spacecraft. The inventors of the present invention have confirmed, from both technical and insurance perspectives, that the presence or absence of a de-orbiting device, as well as its configuration and specifications, have a significant correlation with the collision probability. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have found that installing a de-orbiting device improves the on-orbit environment, thereby reducing the collision risk and potentially reducing insurance claims payments for collision insurance such as third-party liability (TPL) insurance, which in turn may result in reduced insurance premiums.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an insurance premium calculation system and an insurance premium calculation method that are capable of appropriately calculating insurance premium rates for spacecraft equipped with a launch device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An insurance premium calculation system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a collision probability calculation unit that calculates the probability of a spacecraft equipped with a launch device colliding with another flying object, and an insurance premium calculation unit that calculates the insurance premium rate for insurance on the spacecraft equipped with a launch device based on the basic insurance premium rate for insurance on the spacecraft and at least the collision probability.

[0008] According to this aspect, the insurance premium rate for the spacecraft equipped with the launcher is calculated based on at least the basic insurance premium rate for the spacecraft insurance and the probability of the spacecraft equipped with the launcher colliding with another flying object, thereby allowing the insurance premium rate for the spacecraft equipped with the launcher to be calculated appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an insurance premium calculation system and an insurance premium calculation method that are capable of appropriately calculating insurance premium rates for spacecraft equipped with a launch device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of an insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2A] 10 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a detachment device D. FIG. [Figure 2B] 10 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a detachment device D. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a business company device 100, a sales company device 200, and an insurance company device 300. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing simulation results of collision probability. [Figure 6] 10 is an operation sequence showing an example of operation processing executed by the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is an operational flow showing an example of insurance premium rate calculation processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (Note that in each drawing, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.)

[0012] (1) Overall structure FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an insurance premium calculation system 1 according to this embodiment. The insurance premium calculation system 1 includes a business company device 100, a sales company device 200, and an insurance company device 300, which are connected to each other so that they can transmit and receive information via a communication network such as the Internet. The business company device 100 is an information processing device used by a business company that conducts a specific business using a spacecraft S. The business company purchases a release device from the sales company, installs it on the spacecraft S, and operates the spacecraft S to provide various business services. The spacecraft S may broadly include objects flying in Earth orbit or on a release orbit, which is the orbit a spacecraft follows when descending from Earth orbit toward the Earth's surface, and may include not only artificial satellites but also rockets, space stations, etc. The types of business services provided by the business company are not particularly limited and may include, for example, location information services, image services, communication services, etc. The release device D is a device for performing post-mission disposal (PMD) by applying a braking force (such as a force to slow down the flight speed) to the spacecraft S using an arbitrary mechanism, thereby causing the spacecraft S to release from Earth orbit after completing its operations. The sales company device 200 is an information processing device used by a sales company that sells the release device D to be installed on the spacecraft S. The insurance company device 300 is an information processing device used by an insurance company that provides TPL insurance for the spacecraft S. Third-party liability insurance is insurance that covers liability for damages to a third party caused by an accident. The insurance provided by the insurance company is not particularly limited in terms of coverage, etc., as long as it is related to the spacecraft S, but may include, for example, third-party liability insurance that covers liability for damages to a third party related to another flying object caused by a collision between the spacecraft S flying in Earth orbit or on a release orbit and the other flying object.

[0013] 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining an example of the release device D. The release device D has a substantially rectangular housing. The dimensions of the release device D are not particularly limited, but for example, in the case of a small spacecraft, it may be approximately 100 mm × approximately 100 mm × approximately 10 mm. A solar panel may be provided on the surface of the housing of the release device D as a power source. The release device D is configured to accommodate a string-like conductive tether T inside the housing. Specifically, the conductive tether T may be wound around a drum or the like provided inside the release device D and housed inside the release device D. As a result, for example, at the time of launch of the spacecraft S, the release device D can be mounted so as to be in contact with the spacecraft S, as shown in FIG. 2A. The material of the conductive tether T is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive, but may be, for example, a metal fiber such as aluminum, a high-strength conductive fiber, or the like. Furthermore, the conductive tether T is not limited to a string-like shape, but may be a mesh-like shape or the like.

[0014] At a predetermined timing, such as after the spacecraft S has completed its mission, the release device D controls the rotation of the drum around which the conductive tether T is wound in response to a control signal received from a ground control center or the like, thereby allowing the release device D to unwind the conductive tether T. The conductive tether T is extended in a generally vertical direction (the direction of the Earth's gravity) due to the Earth's gravity. As a result, the spacecraft S and the release device D fly on a release trajectory, positioned at both ends of the extended conductive tether T, as shown in Figure 2B.

[0015] One end of the conductive tether T on the release device D side is configured to be electrically connectable to a CNT (Carbon-Nano Tube) emitter installed in the release device D, for example, by a selector switch. When the conductive tether T and the CNT emitter are electrically connected, the conductive tether T acts as an electron collector, absorbing electrons from the surrounding plasma, and the CNT emitter emits electrons into the surrounding plasma. As a result, an induced current i flows in a pseudo-closed circuit due to the electromagnetic action of the Earth's magnetic field B. The Lorentz force F that this induced current i receives from the Earth's magnetic field B acts as a braking force, decelerating the conductive tether T and the release device D and spacecraft S that are orbiting together with it. Eventually, the spacecraft S releases from Earth's orbit and descends toward the Earth's surface on a release orbit. The release device D can pass a current corresponding to a control signal through the conductive tether T in response to the control signal received from a ground control center or the like. Therefore, by controlling the amount of current, it becomes possible to control the braking force applied to the spacecraft S, and thereby to control the speed of descent of the spacecraft S.

[0016] A release device to which the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment can be applied may include, for example, a release device capable of varying the braking force (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "variable release device") as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. However, without being limited thereto, a release device to which the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment can be applied may also include a release device incapable of varying the braking force (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "fixed release device"). The configuration of the fixed release device is not particularly limited, and may, for example, have a member for receiving air resistance as a braking force.

[0017] (2) Hardware configuration FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the operating company device 100, the sales company device 200, and the insurance company device 300. The operating company device 100, the sales company device 200, and the insurance company device 300 each include a communication controller 401, a CPU 402, a random access memory (RAM) 403 used as a working memory, a read-only memory (ROM) 404 for storing a boot program, etc., a storage device 405 such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD), a drive device 406, and an input / output interface (I / F) 407, all interconnected via an internal bus or a dedicated communication line. The communication controller 401 communicates with other information processing devices. The storage device 405 stores a program 405a to be executed by the CPU 402. The program 405a is loaded into the RAM 403 by a direct memory access (DMA) controller (not shown) or the like, and executed by the CPU 402. The input / output I / F 407 includes an input device that accepts input to the operating company device 100, the sales company device 200, and the insurance company device 300, and an output device that executes predetermined output. The input device may be any input device such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a touch pad, a mouse, a microphone, etc. The output device may be any output device such as a display (display device), a speaker, etc.

[0018] (3) Functional configuration of each device (3-1) Business company device 100 Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the business company device 100 has, for example, a storage unit 110 and a control unit 120. The control unit 120 has, for example, an operation reception unit 121, a transmission / reception unit 122, and a display control unit 123.

[0019] The storage unit 110 can be realized using a storage device 405 included in the business company device 100. The operation reception unit 121, the transmission / reception unit 122, and the display control unit 123 can be realized by the CPU 402 of the business company device 100 executing a program 405a stored in the storage device 405. The program 405a can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program 405a may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0020] The operation reception unit 121 receives various operations on the input device by an operator (such as an employee of a business company). The operation reception unit 121 receives, for example, input of various information by the employee of the business company regarding the detachment device D and the purchase of insurance.

[0021] The transmitting / receiving unit 122 has functions as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and transmits and receives various data to and from other information processing devices. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 122 receives display data of a purchase screen of the detached device D from the sales company device 200. Also, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 122 transmits information related to the purchase of the detached device D to the sales company device 200. Also, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 122 receives display data of an insurance purchase screen from the insurance company device 300. Also, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 122 transmits information related to the purchase of insurance to the sales company device 200.

[0022] The display control unit 123 has a function of displaying various screens on the output device of the operating company device 100. For example, the display control unit 123 displays a purchase screen on the output device based on display data of the purchase screen of the detachment device D. Also, for example, the display control unit 123 displays a purchase screen on the output device based on display data of the insurance purchase screen.

[0023] (3-2) Sales company device 200 4, the dealership device 200 includes, for example, a storage unit 210 and a control unit 220. The control unit 220 includes, for example, an operation reception unit 221, a departure plan acquisition unit 222, a collision probability calculation unit 223, a transmission / reception unit 224, and a display control unit 225.

[0024] The storage unit 210 can be realized using a storage device 405 included in the dealership device 200. The operation reception unit 221, the departure plan acquisition unit 222, the collision probability calculation unit 223, the transmission / reception unit 224, and the display control unit 225 can be realized by the CPU 402 of the dealership device 200 executing a program 405a stored in the storage device 405. The program 405a can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program 405a may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0025] The storage unit 210 stores various data and programs. In particular, the storage unit 210 may include a release device customer DB 211, which is a database for registering information about customers of release device sales, such as business companies. The items registered in the release device customer DB 211 are not particularly limited, and may include, for example, information about the business company, information about the spacecraft, and information about the release device. The information about the business company may include, for example, attribute information about the business company (industry, business type, size), as well as information about business performance such as sales and profits. The information about the spacecraft may include, for example, attribute information about the spacecraft operated by the business company (type, function, weight, dimensions, model, etc.), as well as information about the business services provided by the spacecraft and the spacecraft's flight plan (altitude, orbital inclination of the Earth's orbit, mission years, etc.). The information about the release device may include, for example, attribute information (shape, dimensions, weight, function, model, product number, etc.) of the release device that the business company wishes to purchase, as well as information about the release plan, which will be described later.

[0026] The operation reception unit 221 receives various operations on the input device by an operator (such as an employee of a sales company). The operation reception unit 221 receives, for example, input of various information related to the sale of the detachment device D by an employee of the sales company.

[0027] The departure plan acquisition unit 222 acquires the departure plan. The departure plan is information that defines a plan for the spacecraft S to leave Earth's orbit, and may be defined, for example, as a change in the altitude at which the spacecraft S flies over time. As described above, the departure device D mounted on the spacecraft S can control the altitude at which the spacecraft S flies by applying a braking force to the spacecraft S so as to reduce the flight speed of the spacecraft S. Therefore, the departure plan may be defined based on such a braking force by the departure device D. Note that control of the braking force on the departure device D is linked to the flight altitude of the spacecraft S, so the departure plan may be defined, for example, as a plan for controlling the braking force of the departure device D (for example, a plan for the degree of extension of the conductive tether T or the value of the current to be passed through the conductive tether T). The departure plan acquisition unit 222 may acquire the departure plan by receiving, for example, a departure plan entered by an employee of the operating company when purchasing the departure device D from the operating company device 100 via the transceiver 224. Furthermore, the detachment plan acquisition unit 222 may acquire a detachment plan input by an employee of a sales company or the like when the detachment device D is sold, for example.

[0028] The collision probability calculation unit 223 calculates the probability of collision of the spacecraft S with other flying objects. In particular, the collision probability calculation unit 223 calculates the probability of collision of the spacecraft S equipped with the release device D with other flying objects.

[0029] Here, we will explain an example of the collision probability calculated by the collision probability calculation unit 223. Note that the collision probability shown below is merely an example, and the collision probability calculation unit 223 may calculate the collision probability defined by another mathematical formula.

[0030] Assuming that the spacecraft is a sphere with a diameter of D (m) and the debris is a sphere with a diameter of d (m), the effective collision cross section A d is expressed by the following equation (Equation 1).

[0031]

number

[0032] In this case, the number of collisions N of debris in a certain unit period Δt is expressed as in the following equation (Equation 2).

[0033]

number

[0034] Here, dφ(d) is the flux density of debris of size d (the number of debris passing through a unit area per unit time), and A(d) is the above-mentioned effective collision cross section Ad. The flux density may be calculated using simulation software such as ORDEM (Orbital Debris Engineering Model) published by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Specifically, the desired flux density can be calculated by inputting the debris size d, altitude, orbital inclination, etc. Furthermore, ds is the minimum value of the debris diameter d, and dl is the maximum value of the debris diameter d. Note that spacecraft S orbits (flies) the Earth at an altitude where centrifugal force and gravity are balanced.

[0035] The probability Pn of debris colliding n times in a unit period Δt is expressed as the following equation (Equation 3) if the collisions follow a Poisson distribution.

[0036]

number

[0037] Therefore, the probability that debris will collide once or more in a unit period Δt is P n ≧1 is expressed as in the following equation (Equation 4).

[0038]

number

[0039] The collision probability P shown in Equation 4 when the spacecraft diameter D = 1 (m) and the unit period Δt = 1 (year) is n The simulation results for ≥ 1 (ppm) are shown in Figure 5. The horizontal axis is the orbital inclination angle (degrees), and the vertical axis is the spacecraft altitude (km). As shown in Figure 5, the collision probability generally increases as the orbital inclination angle increases. Furthermore, the collision probability generally increases as the spacecraft altitude increases.

[0040] Then, let any period during which the spacecraft flies be a period of T unit periods Δt, and let the collision probability of Equation 4 for the jth period (the probability that debris will collide at least once during the jth unit period) be P j Then, the probability that the spacecraft will not collide with any other flying object during the period is P safe is expressed as the following equation (Equation 5) based on Equation 4.

[0041]

number

[0042] Therefore, the probability that the spacecraft will collide with another flying object at least once during the period (T unit periods Δt) is P collide is expressed as follows (Equation 6):

[0043]

number

[0044] The collision probability P in the unit period Δt shown in the above-mentioned formula 4 is n ≧1 includes the altitude at which the spacecraft S flies as a parameter. In particular, if the spacecraft S is equipped with a release device D, the altitude at which the spacecraft S flies can be determined by the release plan of the spacecraft S using the release device D. Therefore, the collision probability P in the unit period Δt shown in Equation 4 is n≧1 can be said to be defined as a function of the separation plan. Furthermore, the probability P safe is a function of T, which indicates the length of the period when the unit period is Δt. The length of the period T can also be determined by the separation plan. Therefore, the probability P of the spacecraft colliding with another flying object at least once, as shown in Equation 6, which is determined based on Equation 5, collide can be determined by the release plan. From the above, for a spacecraft S equipped with a release device D, it is possible to set the collision probability according to the release plan.

[0045] As described above, the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment can be applied to fixed release devices (release devices that cannot vary the braking force) in addition to variable release devices (release devices that can vary the braking force). Here, for example, assume that the period required for release as a release plan for a certain variable release device (for example, 3 years) as shown in Figures 2A and 2B is shorter than the period required for release as a release plan for a certain fixed release device (for example, 5 years). In other words, the variable release device descends faster and crashes faster than the fixed release device. In this case, since the variable release device descends faster than the fixed release device, the collision probability in each unit period shown in Equation 4 is calculated as follows: n ≧1, the collision probability of the fixed release device P n ≧1. Furthermore, since the variable release device falls faster than the fixed release device, the collision probability of the variable release device in any period shown in Equation 6 is collide is the collision probability of the fixed release device P collideis smaller than the estimated value. In this way, by setting a departure plan using a variable departure device, it is possible to more appropriately reduce the collision probability of a variable departure device compared to, for example, the collision probability of a fixed departure device. Furthermore, as will be described later, it is possible to reduce the insurance premium rate by reducing the collision probability. Therefore, it can be said that the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment can be more effective in reducing the insurance premium rate when applied to a variable departure device than to a fixed departure device.

[0046] The transmitting / receiving unit 224 has functions as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and transmits and receives various data to and from other information processing devices. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 224 transmits display data for a purchase screen of the detached device D to the business company device 100. Also, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 224 receives information related to the purchase of the detached device D from the business company device 100. Also, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 122 receives information related to the purchase of insurance from the business company device 100. Also, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 122 receives information related to the insurance from the insurance company device 300.

[0047] The display control unit 225 has a function of displaying various screens on the output device of the sales company device 200. For example, the display control unit 225 displays a sales screen on the output device based on display data of the sales screen of the detachment device D. Furthermore, for example, the display control unit 225 displays a purchase screen on the output device based on display data of an insurance purchase screen.

[0048] (3-3) Insurance Company Device 300 4, the insurance company device 300 includes, for example, a storage unit 310 and a control unit 320. The control unit 320 includes, for example, a transmission / reception unit 321 and an insurance premium rate calculation unit 322.

[0049] The storage unit 310 can be realized using the storage unit 405 included in the insurance company device 300. The transmission / reception unit 321 and the insurance premium rate calculation unit 322 can be realized by the CPU 402 of the insurance company device 300 executing a program 405a stored in the storage unit 405. The program 405a can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program 405a may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0050] The storage unit 310 stores various data and programs. In particular, the storage unit 310 may include an insurance contract DB 311, which is a database for registering information related to insurance contracts. There are no particular limitations on the items registered in the insurance contract DB 311, and the items may include, for example, identification information for identifying an insurance contract, such as a policy number, as well as information about the policyholder and details of compensation. The insurance contract DB 311 may be configured to be accessible from the sales company device 200, etc.

[0051] The transmitting / receiving unit 321 has functions as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and transmits and receives various data to and from other information processing devices. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 321 receives information about the departing device from the dealership company device 200. Specifically, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 321 may receive from the dealership company device 200 a departure plan acquired by the departure plan acquisition unit 222 of the dealership company device 200 or a collision probability calculated by the collision probability calculation unit 223 of the dealership company device 200. Furthermore, for example, the transmitting / receiving unit 321 transmits information about insurance to the operating company device 100 and / or the dealership company device 200.

[0052] The insurance premium calculation unit 322 calculates a predetermined insurance premium rate. The predetermined insurance premium rate may be an insurance premium rate for insurance to compensate for damages or liability arising from a spacecraft's collision with another flying object. For example, the insurance premium calculation unit 322 may calculate a basic insurance premium rate. In this case, the calculation method for the basic insurance premium rate is not particularly limited, and a publicly known algorithm for calculating insurance premiums or a method using machine learning may be used. The basic insurance premium rate may be, for example, an insurance premium rate when the launcher is not installed on the spacecraft. The insurance premium calculation unit 322 may also calculate a correction coefficient due to the launcher being installed on the spacecraft. Specifically, the insurance premium calculation unit 322 may calculate the correction coefficient based on a launch plan and a collision probability received from the sales company device 200 or the like. The insurance premium calculation unit 322 may also calculate the correction coefficient based on a predetermined index related to the launcher. The predetermined index may be, for example, the braking performance of the release gear (an index indicating the degree of braking force that can be applied to the spacecraft), the type indicating the mechanism or braking principle of the release gear, a distinction between a flexible release gear and a fixed release gear, the maximum braking force of the flexible release gear, etc. The insurance premium rate calculation unit 322 may then calculate the insurance premium rate when the release gear is installed on the spacecraft. Specifically, the insurance premium rate calculation unit 322 may multiply the above-mentioned basic insurance premium rate (the insurance premium rate when the release gear is not installed on the spacecraft, etc.) by a correction coefficient for when the release gear is installed on the spacecraft, and calculate the value obtained as the insurance premium rate (the insurance premium rate when the release gear is installed on the spacecraft).

[0053] (4) Sequence 6 is an operational sequence showing an example of operational processing executed by the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment. This operational sequence is executed, for example, when a business company that operates a spacecraft purchases a launcher from a sales company and also purchases third-party liability insurance provided by an insurance company.

[0054] (S10) First, the business company device 100 accepts input of various information related to the purchase of a release device in response to operations on the input device by an operator, such as an employee of the business company, while, for example, a purchase screen for the release device is displayed on the display device. The input information may include, for example, information about the business company, information about the spacecraft, and information about the release device. The information about the business company may include, for example, attribute information about the business company (industry, business type, size), as well as information about business performance such as sales and profits. The information about the spacecraft may include, for example, attribute information (type, function, weight, dimensions, model, etc.) of the spacecraft operated by the business company, as well as information about the business services provided by the spacecraft and the spacecraft's flight plan (altitude, orbital inclination of the Earth's orbit, mission years, etc.). The information about the release device may include, for example, attribute information (shape, dimensions, weight, function, model, product number, etc.) of the release device the business company wishes to purchase, as well as information about the release plan. The business company device 100 may accept input of multiple release plans.

[0055] (S11) Next, the operating company device 100 transmits the input information in step S10 to the sales company device 200. The sales company device 200 receives the input information from the operating company device 100.

[0056] (S12) Next, the sales company device 200 executes a sales process for the detached device based on the input information received from the business company device 100 in step S11. For example, the sales company device 200 may register the received input information in the detached device customer DB 211. Furthermore, for example, the sales company device 200 may transmit information regarding an order for the detached device to another information processing device that manages the manufacture and inventory of the detached device based on the input information received from the business company device 100.

[0057] (S13) Next, the sales company device 200 acquires a departure plan (changes over time in the altitude at which the spacecraft S flies, depending on the braking force of the departure device), based on the input information etc. received from the business company device 100. If the input information received from the business company device 100 includes a departure plan input by a business company employee etc., the sales company device 200 may acquire that departure plan. Alternatively, the sales company device 200 may acquire a departure plan input by a sales company employee etc. Note that the sales company device 200 may acquire multiple departure plans.

[0058] (S14) Next, based on the input information received from the business company device 100, the sales company device 200 calculates the collision probability of the spacecraft operated by the business company device 100, which is equipped with the release device to be purchased, with other flying objects. The collision probability may be calculated, for example, using the above-mentioned Equation 4. In this case, various parameters (spacecraft diameter D, flux density dφ(d), minimum value ds of debris diameter d, maximum value dl of debris diameter d, etc.) may be specified based on the input information received from the business company device 100 and the acquired release plan. Note that if there are multiple release plans, the sales company device 200 may calculate the collision probability corresponding to each release plan.

[0059] (S15) Next, the sales company device 200 transmits an insurance premium calculation request to the insurance company device 300. The insurance premium calculation request may include, for example, the input information received from the operating company device 100, at least one acquired departure plan, and the calculated collision probability.

[0060] (S16) Next, the insurance company device 300 executes a process (insurance premium calculation process) for calculating an insurance premium rate for insurance to compensate for damages and liabilities caused by a collision of a spacecraft with another flying object. Details of the calculation of the insurance premium rate will be described later. In this way, the insurance premium rate is calculated. Note that if there are multiple departure plans, the insurance company device 300 may calculate an insurance premium rate corresponding to each departure plan.

[0061] (S17) Next, the insurance company device 300 transmits at least one calculated insurance premium rate to the sales company device 200. The insurance company device 300 may also transmit information about insurance extracted from the insurance contract DB 311 to the sales company device 200. The sales company device 200 receives the insurance premium rate and the like from the insurance company device 300.

[0062] (S18) Next, the sales company device 200 transmits information about the insurance contract to the operating company device 100. This information may include, for example, at least one insurance premium rate obtained from the insurance company device 300 and information about other insurance extracted from the insurance contract DB 311. The operating company device 100 receives this information from the sales company device 200.

[0063] (S19) Next, the business company device 100 displays a screen for the insurance contract on the display device based on the information received from the sales company device 200, and then accepts input of various information necessary for the insurance contract in response to operations on the input device by an operator such as an employee of the business company. The input information may include, for example, attribute information of the business company (industry type, business type, size), as well as information on business performance such as sales and profits. The input information may also include, for example, information on the insurance contract content (insurance type, insurance amount, contract period, insurance rate, etc.). Note that if there are multiple insurance premium rates corresponding to multiple withdrawal plans, the business company employee, etc. may select the desired insurance premium rate.

[0064] (S20) Next, the operating company device 100 transmits the input information in step S19 to the sales company device 200. The sales company device 200 receives the input information from the operating company device 100.

[0065] (S21) Next, the sales company device 200 transmits to the insurance company device 300 the input information received from the operating company device 100 in step S20.

[0066] (S22) Next, the insurance company device 300 executes insurance contract processing based on the input information received from the sales company device 200 in step S21. For example, the insurance company device 300 may register the received input information in the insurance contract DB 311. This completes the operation sequence.

[0067] In steps S17 to S22, the business company device 100 and the insurance company device 300 are assumed to send and receive information regarding insurance contracts via the sales company device 200, but this is not limited to this, and the business company device 100 and the insurance company device 300 may send and receive information directly.

[0068] 7 is an operational flow showing an example of insurance premium rate calculation processing, which is executed by the insurance company device 300, for example, in step S16 described above.

[0069] (S16-1) First, the insurance company device 300 calculates a basic insurance premium rate (such as the insurance premium rate when the launch device is not installed on the spacecraft) based on input information received from the operating company device 100. For example, the insurance company device 300 calculates the basic insurance premium rate based on information about the operating company (such as the operating company's attribute information and performance information) and information about the spacecraft (such as the spacecraft's attribute information and flight plan). In this case, the method for calculating the insurance premium rate is not particularly limited, but a known algorithm for calculating an insurance premium rate may be used.

[0070] (S16-2) Next, the insurance company device 300 determines whether or not the target spacecraft is equipped with a release device based on the input information received from the operating company device 100. If it is determined that the target spacecraft is not equipped with a release device (S16-2; No), the processing ends, and the insurance premium rate calculated in step S16-1 for when a release device is not installed is adopted as the final insurance premium rate.

[0071] (S16-3) On the other hand, if it is determined that the target spacecraft is equipped with a release device (S16-2; Yes), the insurance company device 300 calculates a correction coefficient for the release device based on input information received from the operating company device 100. For example, the insurance company device 300 calculates the correction coefficient based on information about the release device (attribute information about the release device, release plan, etc.). The method for calculating the correction coefficient is not particularly limited, and the correction coefficient may be calculated by, for example, referring to a table that predefines the correspondence between information about the release device and the correction coefficient. Note that if there are multiple release plans, the insurance company device 300 may calculate a correction coefficient corresponding to each release plan.

[0072] (S16-4) Next, the insurance company device 300 calculates the insurance premium rate when the release device is installed on a spacecraft. The insurance premium rate calculation unit 322 may calculate the value obtained by multiplying the basic insurance premium rate by a correction coefficient for when the release device is installed on a spacecraft as the insurance premium rate (the insurance premium rate when the release device is installed on a spacecraft). This completes the operation flow.

[0073] The functional units included in the business company device 100, the sales company device 200, and the insurance company device 300 included in the insurance premium rate calculation system 1 according to this embodiment are not limited to the configurations described with reference to FIG. 4 , but may be included in any information processing device (such as the business company device 100, the sales company device 200, or the insurance company device 300). That is, the departure plan acquisition unit 222 and the collision probability calculation unit 223 are not limited to being included in the sales company device 200, but may be included in the business company device 100 or the insurance company device 300. Furthermore, the insurance premium rate calculation unit 322 is not limited to being included in the insurance company device 300, but may be included in the business company device 100 or the sales company device 200.

[0074] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other.

[0075] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an insurance rate calculation system and an insurance rate calculation method that can appropriately calculate insurance rates for spacecraft equipped with a launcher. For example, when developing and selling a launcher, it is possible to understand the characteristics of the spacecraft to be insured, thereby making it possible to fully understand the risk associated with a spacecraft collision. Furthermore, it is possible to automatically propose the minimum necessary insurance and calculate the insurance rate. This makes it possible to improve the current insurance contract system as follows: 1. By developing the release device, the function of the release device can be accurately understood. 2. As a result of the above 1, it will be possible to propose and sell the optimal release device for the spacecraft to be insured, and to accurately grasp the risk of collision in orbit. 3. By integrating the above with existing insurance databases, it will be possible to appropriately reduce premiums for TPL insurance, etc., which in the past were set at high prices due to excessive risk. This system can also be developed into an insurance rate calculation support program using AI. 4. By building a seamless system like the one described in 3., which does not currently exist, it will be possible to reduce costs that increase due to the involvement of various parties. At the same time, it will be possible to expand the insurance database, which will increase the degree to which actual risks are reflected, enabling more accurate calculation of insurance premium rates. 5. The introduction of this invention will increase the rate of purchase of insurance such as release devices and TPL insurance, thereby maintaining and improving the orbital environment itself and reducing the factors that increase the risk of an in-orbit collision (i.e., insurance rates, etc., which are risks faced by insurance companies), creating a virtuous cycle of further reductions in insurance rates and promotion of their introduction. 6. The virtuous cycle described above will reduce the excessive costs that were previously unaware of across the industry and market, improving the investment effectiveness relative to the costs of each party. A more visible investment environment is expected to further develop the industry and market. 7. In the future, by sharing the information obtained through this flow across multiple insurance companies and increasing the number of data points, it will be possible to further visualize risks and build a more accurate global common database. When the operation of such a global common database becomes a reality, it is expected that the investment effectiveness for the entire industry and market will be further improved relative to the allowable costs.

[0076] As mentioned above, by not only building a temporary system but also developing and circulating the flows 1. to 5. from scratch, the following effects can be achieved. A. Release device developers: Promoting sales of release devices and reducing business development hurdles by taking out TPL insurance B. Insurance companies: Promoting sales by optimizing (reducing) TPL insurance premium calculations C. Insured companies: Incentives for the introduction of breakaway devices, which will be required by regulation in the near future, and the creation of a sense of satisfaction by calculating insurance rates based on more objective data, instead of the subjective calculations previously made by insurance companies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...insurance premium rate calculation system, 100...business company device, 110...storage unit, 120...control unit, 121...operation reception unit, 122...transmission / reception unit, 123...display control unit, 200...sales company device, 210...storage unit, 220...control unit, 221...operation reception unit, 222...release plan acquisition unit, 223...collision probability calculation unit, 224...transmission / reception unit, 225...display control unit, 300...insurance company device, 310...storage unit, 320...control unit, 321...transmission / reception unit, 322...insurance premium rate calculation unit, 401...communication controller, 402...CPU, 403...RAM, 404...ROM, 405...storage device, 405a...program, 406...drive device, 407...input / output I / F, D...release device, S...spacecraft, T...conductive tether, B...earth's magnetic field, i...induced current, F...Lorentz force

Claims

1. a collision probability calculation unit that calculates a collision probability between a spacecraft equipped with a release device and another flying object based on a release plan that defines a plan for the release of the spacecraft from an orbit by the release device; an insurance premium calculation unit that calculates an insurance premium rate for the insurance on the spacecraft equipped with the launcher based on a basic insurance premium rate for the insurance on the spacecraft and at least the collision probability; An insurance premium calculation system that includes:

2. 2. The insurance premium calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the basic insurance premium rate is an insurance premium rate for the insurance regarding the spacecraft that does not have the launch device installed.

3. 3. The insurance premium calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the insurance is liability insurance that compensates for liability arising from a collision of the spacecraft with another flying object.

4. An insurance premium rate calculation system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a withdrawal plan generation unit that generates the withdrawal plan.

5. The insurance premium calculation system according to claim 1 , wherein the departure plan includes information indicating a change in altitude of the spacecraft over time.

6. 6. The insurance premium calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the release device has a conductive tether for extending from the spacecraft.

7. One or more computers a collision probability calculation step of calculating a collision probability between a spacecraft equipped with a release device and another flying object based on a release plan that defines a plan for release of the spacecraft from an orbit by the release device; an insurance premium calculation step of calculating an insurance premium rate for the insurance on the spacecraft equipped with the launcher based on a basic insurance premium rate for the insurance on the spacecraft and at least the collision probability; A method for calculating insurance premium rates.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • System and method for supporting insurance sales and program recording medium

    JP2001209702A

  • Space insurance support device, collision insurance execution device, insurance payment system, and space insurance program

    JP2021051625A

  • Method and system for space debris orbit descent, and method and system for changing orbit of artificial satellite

    WO2015190527A1