Session
Technical Poster Session II
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
As of January 2018, there were over 166 million pieces of space debris smaller than 1cm, ~750,000 pieces with size ranging from 1cm − 10cm and ~29,000 particles larger than 10cms. It is evident that space debris is a growing concern, particularly in the low altitude Earth orbits, and if not addressed in time, may have a drastic socio-economic impact on civilization. This paper describes the Glue-infused Rotating Nanofibers Net (GRoNNet), a novel debris capturing system for pico/nano/micro-satellites (PNMSats). GRoNNet is designed as a modular, cost-effective system with the capability to capture a target debris in multiple attempts and expedite its re-entry by attaching a debris mitigation system. It may be best described by comparing it with a chameleon’s tongue but several hundreds or thousands of them infused with a thick honey-like viscous adhesive in a rotary configuration, so as to adhere strongly with a target debris even at the slightest contact.
The main components of GRoNNet are - (i) a tuft of braided nanofibers wound around a spool, (ii) a set of glue containers (resin and hardener) with electronic valves, (iii) a duct for facilitating the flow and infusing the nanofibers with glue, (iv) a microcontroller with a wireless communication link to the host satellite, (v) a power management system with battery, (vi) a LiDAR or a stereo camera for sensing the proximity of the target debris and (vi) a motor for rotating the glue-infused fibers. GRoNNet is envisioned as an autonomous module with a form factor of a 3U CubeSat and several such modules may be loaded onto a host satellite, which is primarily responsible for proximity and rendezvous operations. A GRoNNet module is deployed using a tether system when the host satellite is in close proximity with a target debris. The other end of the tether system connects to a passive deorbiting module through a mechanical umbilical. The GRoNNet module when commanded by the host satellite using the wireless link, activates the deployment of the braided activated carbon nanofibers, which are set in rotary motion by the onboard motor. Almost concurrently, the nanofibers are infused with a peptide-based space glue, which works particularly well when devoid of moisture. A successful capturing of the target debris is sensed by the host satellite through a load cell connected to the umbilical. Upon successfully capture, the tether system along with a passive de-orbiting module (UWDES, mDEMS) is launched out of the host satellite to expedite the re-entry of the target debris.
Glue-infused Rotating Nanofibers Net (GRoNNet) for Capturing Space Debris - A Novel Debris Capturing System
Utah State University, Logan, UT
As of January 2018, there were over 166 million pieces of space debris smaller than 1cm, ~750,000 pieces with size ranging from 1cm − 10cm and ~29,000 particles larger than 10cms. It is evident that space debris is a growing concern, particularly in the low altitude Earth orbits, and if not addressed in time, may have a drastic socio-economic impact on civilization. This paper describes the Glue-infused Rotating Nanofibers Net (GRoNNet), a novel debris capturing system for pico/nano/micro-satellites (PNMSats). GRoNNet is designed as a modular, cost-effective system with the capability to capture a target debris in multiple attempts and expedite its re-entry by attaching a debris mitigation system. It may be best described by comparing it with a chameleon’s tongue but several hundreds or thousands of them infused with a thick honey-like viscous adhesive in a rotary configuration, so as to adhere strongly with a target debris even at the slightest contact.
The main components of GRoNNet are - (i) a tuft of braided nanofibers wound around a spool, (ii) a set of glue containers (resin and hardener) with electronic valves, (iii) a duct for facilitating the flow and infusing the nanofibers with glue, (iv) a microcontroller with a wireless communication link to the host satellite, (v) a power management system with battery, (vi) a LiDAR or a stereo camera for sensing the proximity of the target debris and (vi) a motor for rotating the glue-infused fibers. GRoNNet is envisioned as an autonomous module with a form factor of a 3U CubeSat and several such modules may be loaded onto a host satellite, which is primarily responsible for proximity and rendezvous operations. A GRoNNet module is deployed using a tether system when the host satellite is in close proximity with a target debris. The other end of the tether system connects to a passive deorbiting module through a mechanical umbilical. The GRoNNet module when commanded by the host satellite using the wireless link, activates the deployment of the braided activated carbon nanofibers, which are set in rotary motion by the onboard motor. Almost concurrently, the nanofibers are infused with a peptide-based space glue, which works particularly well when devoid of moisture. A successful capturing of the target debris is sensed by the host satellite through a load cell connected to the umbilical. Upon successfully capture, the tether system along with a passive de-orbiting module (UWDES, mDEMS) is launched out of the host satellite to expedite the re-entry of the target debris.
