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  • Modular and Low Cost Expansion Resistance Increasing de-Orbiting Device for small Satellite and large constellation

    Paper number

    IAC-19,A6,6,5,x52861

    Author

    Prof. Zizheng Gong, China, Beijing Institute of Spacecraft Environment Engineering, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)

    Coauthor

    Dr. Huifeng Tan, China, Harbin Institute of Technology

    Coauthor

    Prof. Danying Fu, China, DFH Satellite Co., Ltd.

    Coauthor

    Dr. Chuan Chen, China, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)

    Coauthor

    Dr. Ming Li, China, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)

    Year

    2019

    Abstract
    Because of its unique technical advantages, microsatellites have developed rapidly in recent years. In 2017, the number of small satellites under 500 kg launched worldwide reached 312, accounting for more than 80% of the total number of spacecraft launched in that year. Compared with traditional spacecraft, micro satellites generally have the problem of short life and poor reliability, and most of them do not have effective means of post-mission disposal. Once they fail, new space debris will be formed, which will aggravate the deterioration of the current debris environment. Once fails, it will become a new space debris, which will aggravate the deterioration of the current debris environment. In recent years, a large number of small satellite launching plans proposed by large space powers and private companies will make this problem more prominent.For micro satellites, because of their small size and mass, and limited payload, the traditional way of PMD by self-propelled orbital transfer capability is expensive for them, and most micro-satellites can not guarantee the stable operation of their systems when they need to deorbit.
    To solve this problem, we propose a low-cost modular post-mission disposal device by expanding and increasing resistance which can be widely equipped on micro satellites. The device has a volume of less than 10 cm3 and a weight of less than 800g. It can be inflated into a sphere with a diameter of 1.8 m in three hours. By increasing the resistance, the target of 24 kg mass on 600 km altitude orbit can be deorbited within one year. Due to the use of film forming and curing technology, the sphere does not need to be inflated after deployment. Therefore, compared with the traditional inflatable resistance-increasing device, there is no need to worry about the failure of the resistance-increasing structure caused by the impact of small debris. The device also has independent energy and signal receiving capability, which can make the satellite still have controllable deorbit ability after other parts of the satellite lose their function completely.
    At present, the device has completed prototype development and ground reliability experiment, and is carrying out space environment experiment. It is planned to demonstrate and verify its orbital descent capability by a 10 kg microsatellite deployed at an altitude of 500 km in 2020.
    Abstract document

    IAC-19,A6,6,5,x52861.brief.pdf

    Manuscript document

    IAC-19,A6,6,5,x52861.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

    To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.