AUTONOMOUS CUBESATS FOR ?SPACE DEBRIS REMEDIATION

ABSTRACT This STTR provides Autonomous CubeSats (ACS) that mitigate space debris and remove non-cooperative resident space objects (RSO). ACS units provide real-time Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) in a cost-effective autonomous platform. Dynamic Artificial Intelligence (DAI) software and algorithms are incorporated into next-generation miniaturized Space Controllers that manage ACS units. DAI implements pre-planned and autonomous missions that automatically implement contingency plans and solve problems. ACS functionality includes autonomously approaching, acquiring, and removing space debris. The initial use case is large object space debris remediation by a controlled de-orbit causing incineration in the earth's atmosphere or a one-way ride towards the sun. ACS intercommunications provide the ability for units to swarm and team. For example, two or more ACS units may attach to a large satellite if a single ACS does not have sufficient thrust to de-orbit the larger mass. The two ACS units would intercommunicate and work together to accomplish the mission.