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.

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Aug 10th, 4:45 PM Aug 10th, 5:00 PM

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

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.