Micropropulsion Systems Enabling Full Active Debris Removal by a Small Satellite ADRAS-1

Presenter Information

Hiroyuki Koizumi, The University of TokyoFollow
Jun Asakawa, The University of Tokyo
Yuichi Nakagawa, The University of Tokyo
Shunichi Kojima, The University of Tokyo
Hiroki Kawahara, The University of Tokyo
Kimiya Komurasaki, The University of Tokyo
Masakatsu Nakano, Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial TechnologyFollow
Hinori Sahara, Tokyo Metropolitan UniversityFollow
Mayu Banno, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Jun Matsushima, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Masahiro Kaku, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Toshiaki Iizuka, National Institute of TechnologyFollow
Yuki Seto, Astroscale Japan IncFollow

Session

Technical Session X: Advanced Technologies II

Abstract

In this paper, three types of micropropulsion systems are presented all of which are to be installed on a small satellite ADRAS-1 planned for launch in 2018. The mission target is demonstration of full active debris removal, and a 50 kg target debris will be captured and de-orbited. The satellite consists of a 90 kg carrier satellite, MOTHER, and a 30 kg catcher satellite, BOY. Keys of the mission are three propulsion systems using an ion thruster, monopropellant thrusters, and solid-propellant thrusters. MOTHER is equipped with a miniature and low power, xenon ion thruster for orbit transfer, which has thrust of 350 μN and specific impulse of 1000 s. Additionally, MOTHER is equipped with H2O2 monopropellant thrusters for non-cooperative approach to target debris, which have 200 mN and 60 s. BOY, which is finally released from the MOTHER, is equipped with a cluster of 36 laser-ignited solid-thrusters for deorbiting the debris by 7.14 kNs impulse in total.