The RemoveDEBRIS satellite platform will fly four space debris removal technologies and two target cubesats. The platform, which is approximately 1m3, has a flight mass of less than 100kg and is due to be the largest satellite deployed from the ISS to date.
In the first of two capture experiments, a net will be discharged at one of the deployed target cubesats to demonstrate net capture in space. The second capture experiment will see a harpoon launched at a deployable target plate made of representative satellite panel materials – the first harpoon capture in orbit. The third experiment involves vision-based navigation by deploying the second cubesat and demonstrating rendezvous navigation using cameras and a LiDaR. Finally, the RemoveDEBRIS spacecraft will deploy a large dragsail to speed de-orbit, where it will burn up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Surrey Satellite’s executive chairman, said: “It is now time for the international space community to begin to mitigate, limit and control space junk and I am very pleased that the RemoveDEBRIS consortium is leading the way.”
