Session
Technical Session 11: Propulsion
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The Terminator Tape™ is a passive deorbit module that utilizes both electrodynamic and aerodynamic drag effects to reduce spacecraft deorbit time. To date, three satellites have deployed Terminator Tapes, accumulating a total flight time of approximately thirty months. The first two deployments, on the NPSAT-1 and PROX-1 satellites, are starting multi-year deorbit profiles that will characterize Terminator Tape performance over a full solar cycle as they descend from altitudes above 700km. Additionally, the DRAGRACER mission recently demonstrated performance at lower altitudes, where aerodynamic drag becomes the dominant effect and has given insight into late-stage performance of the tape. Analysis of the impact of the drag tape solution on the overall probability of collision with active satellites indicates the Terminator Tape can significantly reduce collision risks relative to an unaided passive decay approach.
In-Flight Performance of the Terminator Tape End-of-Life Deorbit Module
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The Terminator Tape™ is a passive deorbit module that utilizes both electrodynamic and aerodynamic drag effects to reduce spacecraft deorbit time. To date, three satellites have deployed Terminator Tapes, accumulating a total flight time of approximately thirty months. The first two deployments, on the NPSAT-1 and PROX-1 satellites, are starting multi-year deorbit profiles that will characterize Terminator Tape performance over a full solar cycle as they descend from altitudes above 700km. Additionally, the DRAGRACER mission recently demonstrated performance at lower altitudes, where aerodynamic drag becomes the dominant effect and has given insight into late-stage performance of the tape. Analysis of the impact of the drag tape solution on the overall probability of collision with active satellites indicates the Terminator Tape can significantly reduce collision risks relative to an unaided passive decay approach.
