CubeSat Deorbit Module

Microcosm, with consultants HRP Systems and CrossTrac Engineering, proposes to develop a plug-and-play (PnP), low-cost CubeSat deorbit module for end-of-life CubeSat disposal. This type of system is essential if NanoSat capabilities are to be leveraged effectively without increasing the danger from space debris. The baseline will be a 1U cube for deorbit of a 3U CubeSat, which will include a solid rocket for the deorbit burn, along with a magnetometer, optional coarse Sun sensor and torque coils to enable spin-up and deorbit phasing. Reliance on PnP standards will allow for the use of dedicated components or sharing of the primary CubeSat avionics. The initial focus will be on low-cost with modest autonomy and an emphasis on PnP. Computations for angular momentum steering and deorbit phasing will be assumed to be ground-based. However, integrated solutions with additional autonomy for CubeSats with on-board GN&C capability as well as scaling to larger CubeSats will also be explored. Phase I will focus on the system design and simulations to determine feasibility and performance. Phase II work will be expanded to include fabrication and ground-based testing of a prototype deorbit module and fabrication of a flight demonstration unit for integration with missions of opportunity. BENEFIT: The proposed low-cost, PnP deorbit module would have applicability to many future Air Force NanoSat and CubeSat related missions. Numerous missions utilizing single or multiple CubeSats/NanoSats are being contemplated for science, tech-demo and operational applications. Additionally, the deorbit module has great potential for application to other government and commercial CubeSat/NanoSat missions operating in LEO. Availability of a low-cost, robust, and operationally straightforward solution to the deorbit problem will be key to significant growth in the CubeSat/NanoSat market for both government and commercial systems.