Nanosatellite Mission to Clear Dangerous Space Debris 

The CubeSail in orbit Courtesy of University of Surrey

New technology is set to play a major part in clearing dangerous clouds of debris hurtling around the Earth’s lower orbit. More than 5,500 tons of debris is believed to be cluttering space around the planet as a result of 50 years of abandoning spacecraft, leading to a threat of collision to any manned or unmanned spacecraft, the destruction of hugely expensive technology and the potential threat of large debris plummeting back to Earth. The build-up of debris — expected to grow at a rate of five percent each year — is also believed to obstruct satellite television and other communications signals.

Scientists at the University of Surrey, working on the project funded by the European space company Astrium, have devised a three-kilogram miniature satellite, or nanosatellite, fitted with a solar sail. CubeSail is a device that can be fitted to satellites or launch vehicle upper stages that are sent into orbit, and then can be deployed to successfully de-orbit equipment that has reached the end of its mission.

A 5 x 5-meter, three-kilogram, deployable sail is being developed to fit in a 10 x 10 x 30 centimeter nanosatellite and will be used in a demonstration mission to be launched in late 2011 demonstrating passive means of de-orbiting for future satellites.

Vaios Lappas, lead researcher on the project and Senior Lecturer in Space Vehicle Control at the Surrey Space Centre, said: “Protecting our planet and environment is key for sustainable growth. CubeSail is a novel, low-cost space mission which will demonstrate for the first time space debris/satellite de-orbiting using an ultra light 5 x 5 sail stowed and supported on a three-kilogram nanosatellite.

“Successful deployment and testing of the sail can enable a low cost/mass solution to be used for future satellites and launch vehicle upper stages, reducing dramatically the problem of space debris. Following successful in-orbit demonstration, the proposed de-orbit system will be offered as a standard de-orbit system for Low Earth Orbit missions for satellites with a mass of less than 500 kilogram at a very low cost.”

CubeSail is due to be ready for launch on new satellites next year, and is expected to be available for shifting existing debris from 2013.

Craig Underwood, Deputy Director of the Surrey Space Centre, and Reader in Spacecraft Engineering at SSC, said: “The launch of this innovative new technology is very timely. This week’s announcement of the creation of the UK’s space agency is evidence of the commitment to space initiatives and their huge potential for creating growth in the UK economy. At the same time, this exciting future is increasingly dependent on finding a sustainable approach to launching and disposing safely of spacecraft. Innovation in this area is crucial — and we’re keen that a Centre like ours, able to give firms early experience of new space technologies at low cost — is central to the growing UK space industry.”

The Surrey Space Centre has a close working relationship with Astrium, part of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), focusing on technology innovation.