Resilient Independent Propulsive Controlled On-orbit Recovery Device (RIPCORD)

BSS proposes to develop a Resilient Independent Propulsive Controlled On-orbit Recovery Device (RIPCORD) that is cost effective, scalable, and modular to provide plug-and-play deorbit capability. RIPCORD would be stowed on an orbiting vehicle and attached to a target object to provide propulsion, pointing, and rapid deorbit capabilities. RIPCORD consists of three main subsystems: 1) propulsion; 2) guidance navigation and control; and 3) command and data handling coupled with BSS’ SmartAIM, an intelligent on-orbit mobility control software. RIPCORD is developed to offer a cost-effective commercially viable solution that provides utility for deorbiting debris ranging from 100 kg – 10,000 kg. A direct cost comparison and price target for RIPCORD is based upon the NASA report “Cost and Benefit Analysis of Orbital Debris Remediation” which estimated a price range of $4,000/kg - $60,000/kg of debris removed. However, this report was unable to consider the efficacy and near-term commercialization of a concept such as RIPCORD which was directly stated in the study: “A few options could reduce the cost... separate the functionality for rendezvousing, capturing, and detumbling the target from the de-orbit propulsion system.” The proposed concept development will illustrate that implementing a strategy for deorbiting large objects using a disposable high-thrust propulsion system will drive down the cost of debris removal and allow for new analysis to be performed on the optimal strategy for debris remediation.