A Low Cost Orbital Debris Removal System

SatNet™ is a low-cost orbital debris removal system in which a “net” is launched via a suborbital launcher into the path of a spacecraft in a highly elliptical orbit or circular low Earth orbit. The hypervelocity impact between the spacecraft and net largely destroys both and reduces the velocity of the spacecraft debris sufficiently to cause reentry within approximately a quarter orbit. For example, for a satellite in a 500 km circular orbit, reducing the debris velocity by 2% is sufficient to bring perigee below the surface of the Earth such that reentry will occur very quickly. In this approach nothing is taken to orbital velocity, and precision guidance is not required because of the relatively long loiter time at apogee for the suborbital net. Phase I will determine the feasibility of the SatNet™ system via 1) defining the system objectives based on DoD deorbit/debris mitigation guidelines and customer goals, 2) designing the SatNet™ system, including candidate suborbital launchers, the deployable net, and associated subsystems, and 3) simulating the deployment and deorbit process to verify system performance. In Phase II, a prototype deorbit system will be designed in detail, including Earth-based testing of candidate net design/material combinations.