Remove Debris Mission, From Concept to Orbit

The RemoveDebris mission will be the first European Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions to give an in orbit demonstration of the viability of a series of cost effective technologies that can be used to observe, capture and destroy space debris. RemoveDebris is a low cost mission performing key active debris removal (ADR) technology demonstrations including the use of a net, a harpoon, vision-based navigation (VBN) and a dragsail in a realistic space operational environment. For the purposes of the mission two CubeSats will be ejected and used as targets for experiments instead of real space debris, which is an important step towards a fully operational ADR mission. The craft has launched to the ISS on the 2nd of April 2018, on board a Dragon capsule (SpaceX CRS-14 ISS re-supply mission). From here the satellite is to be deployed via the NanoRacks Kaber system into an orbit of around 400 km. Aglietti 2 32nd Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites This paper examines the design of the mission from initial concepts through to manufacture, AIT, testing and up to launch, and apart from a general consideration of the mission, will focus on the elements of design & testing that differ from a conventional mission

The RemoveDebris ADR Mission: Preparing for an International Space Station Launch

International audienceSince the beginning of the space era, a significant amount of debris has progressively been generated in space. Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions have been suggested as a way of limiting and controlling future growth in orbital space debris by actively sending up vehicles to remove debris. The EC FP7 RemoveDebris mission, which started in 2013, draws on the expertise of some of Europe's most prominent space institutions in order to demonstrate key ADR technologies in a low-cost ambitious manner. The RemoveDebris mission launches to the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2017 where shortly after it will be deployed via the NanoRacks Kaber system into an orbit of around 400 km. The mission will perform its core demonstrations sequentially, utilising two CubeSats as artificial debris targets: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation , dragsail de-orbiting. The mission comes to an end in 2018 with all space entities having naturally de-orbited. This paper is split into the following parts: (a) an overview of the mission segments, (b) a discussion on launch procedures, (c) an overview of the operations sequence and demonstration timelines. The second section will focus on the specifics of the launch via NanoRacks and respective the NASA safety reviews. The third section will outline the planned operational timelines for the payloads. There will be a focus on what demonstrations will be performed and what types of data will be collected. The RemoveDebris mission aims to be one of the world's first in-orbit demonstrations of key technologies for active debris removal and is a vital prerequisite to achieving the ultimate goal of a cleaner Earth orbital environment

The Orbital-Hub: Low Cost Platform for Human Spaceflight after ISS

The International Space Station ISS demonstrates long-term international cooperation between many partner governments as well as significant engineering and programmatic achievement mostly as a compromise of budget, politics, administration and technological feasibility. A paradigm shift to use the ISS more as an Earth observation platform and to more innovation and risk acceptance can be observed in the development of new markets by shifting responsibilities to private entities and broadening research disciplines, demanding faster access by users and including new launcher and experiment facilitator companies. A review of worldwide activities shows that all spacefaring nations are developing their individual programmes for the time after ISS. All partners are basically still interested in LEO and human spaceflight as discussed by the ISECG. ISS follow-on activities should comprise clear scientific and technological objectives combined with the long term view on space exploration. This includes key competences like robotics, internal and external space structures, module/facility and experiment operations as well as supply systems (e. g. ATV). Giving financial feasibility priority, DLR started to investigate future low cost options by evaluating various LEO infrastructure concepts including opportunities for national realisation and international cooperation. Scientists and users from various disciplines were involved to assess the usability of corresponding options. Proposed payloads were based on their Mir and ISS experience with respect to future scientific fundamental and technological research questions. Together with US and European industry, NASA and ESA astronauts, operation specialists, current ISS users and scientists, DLR conducted an extensive concept study using the DLR Concurrent Engineering Facility (CEF). The present paper describes the results of these activities with a Phase A design called Orbital-Hub based on a small low cost manned LEO platform including a man-tended free flyer. The first flying H/W components could be realised in the frame of moderate budgets in the next eight years. The Orbital-Hub would guarantee a smooth transition between ISS and further space activities in and beyond LEO and would represent an important step regarding long-term space research, Earth observation respectively monitoring and human space exploration

The Free Flyer Element of DLR's Orbital-Hub Concept: Designed for Science Opportunities and More

In order to perpetuate the achievements of Human Spaceflight in the context of the International Space Station (ISS), DLR supported by Airbus DS and other external partners, by extensive use of its Concurrent Engineering Facility, as conducted a thorough Post-ISS concept study for a LEO architecture referred to as Orbital-Hub. The Orbital-Hub is based on a small crewed LEO platform including a human-tended Free Flyer, and its design has been centred on financial feasibility and user needs in the frame of human spaceflight. Within this paper the Orbital-Hub's Free Flyer, which consists of a pressurized laboratory area, an external payload or experiment platform and a Service compartment, is highlighted with respect to its diverse purposes and applications. Based on a detailed collection of current and forecasted user needs with the help of the science community, the Free Flyer is designed as versatile multi-purpose platform meeting a wide range of requirements for different use cases such as observation, \mu g applications, exploration, technology demonstration and commercial use. Furthermore, it serves as a key element in the Orbital-Hub concept during assembly and nominal operations

The RemoveDebris ADR Mission: Preparing for an International Space Station Launch

International audienceSince the beginning of the space era, a significant amount of debris has progressively been generated in space. Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions have been suggested as a way of limiting and controlling future growth in orbital space debris by actively sending up vehicles to remove debris. The EC FP7 RemoveDebris mission, which started in 2013, draws on the expertise of some of Europe's most prominent space institutions in order to demonstrate key ADR technologies in a low-cost ambitious manner. The RemoveDebris mission launches to the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2017 where shortly after it will be deployed via the NanoRacks Kaber system into an orbit of around 400 km. The mission will perform its core demonstrations sequentially, utilising two CubeSats as artificial debris targets: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation , dragsail de-orbiting. The mission comes to an end in 2018 with all space entities having naturally de-orbited. This paper is split into the following parts: (a) an overview of the mission segments, (b) a discussion on launch procedures, (c) an overview of the operations sequence and demonstration timelines. The second section will focus on the specifics of the launch via NanoRacks and respective the NASA safety reviews. The third section will outline the planned operational timelines for the payloads. There will be a focus on what demonstrations will be performed and what types of data will be collected. The RemoveDebris mission aims to be one of the world's first in-orbit demonstrations of key technologies for active debris removal and is a vital prerequisite to achieving the ultimate goal of a cleaner Earth orbital environment

Review of Final Payload Test Results for the RemoveDebris Active Debris Removal Mission

International audienceSince the beginning of the space era, a huge amount of debris has progressively been generated in space. Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions have been suggested as a way of limiting and controlling future growth in orbital space debris by actively sending up vehicles to remove debris. The EC FP7 RemoveDebris mission, which started in 2013, draws on the expertise of some of Europe's most prominent space institutions in order to demonstrate key ADR technologies in a low-cost ambitious manner: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation, dragsail de-orbiting. This paper provides a review of final payload test results before launch. A comprehensive test campaign is underway on both payloads and platform. The tests aim to demonstrate both functional success of the experiments and that the experiments can survive the space environment. Space environmental tests (EVT) include vibration, thermal, vacuum or thermal-vacuum (TVAC) and in some cases EMC and shock. The test flow differs for each payload and depends on the heritage of the constituent payload parts. The paper will also provide an update to the launch, expected in 2017 from the International Space Station (ISS), and test philosophy that has been influenced from the launch and prerequisite NASA safety review for the mission. The RemoveDebris mission aims to be one of the world's first in-orbit demonstrations of key technologies for active debris removal and is a vital prerequisite to achieving the ultimate goal of a cleaner Earth orbital environment

The RemoveDebris ADR Mission: Launch from the ISS, Operations and Experimental Timelines

International audienceThe EC FP7 RemoveDebris mission aims to be one of the world's first Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions to demonstrate key technologies in-orbit in a cost-effective ambitious manner, including: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation, dragsail de-orbitation. The mission will utilise two CubeSats as artificial debris targets to demonstrate the technologies. In early 2018, the main 100 kg satellite will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) where it will be deployed via the NanoRacks Kaber system into an orbit of around 400 km. The mission comes to an end in 2018 with all space entities having been de-orbited. Previous papers have outlined the mission architecture and design, the demonstrations, and the test campaign. This paper continues by initially overviewing the pre-flight final configuration of the payloads and platform. The second section will focus on the specifics of the launch via Space X / NanoRacks, and compliance to the NASA safety reviews. As the satellite is being transported to the ISS as cargo, it will require manipulation by astronauts to ready it for deployment. The final section will detail the planned operational timeline, including the timeframe for the experiments, an overview of the operational sequences to be performed and the desired mission results. Future mega-satellite constellations are now being proposed, where hundreds to thousands of satellites are being launched into orbit. A coherent strategy, along with technological and platform developments, is needed for de-orbiting, re-orbiting, or servicing of such constellations. The RemoveDebris mission is a vital prerequisite to achieving the ultimate goal of a cleaner Earth orbital environment, and is a core step in the development of active removal vehicles, or on-orbit servicing vehicles of the future

Orbital-Hub DLR Vision 2025, 2nd Edition

In line with the space strategy of the German Government, ISS follow-on activities should comprise clear scientific objectives and key technological competences (e.g. robotic, internal and external structures, module/facility and experiment operations, interface systems (ATV)). In this way, DLR started to investigate future options by evaluating various LEO infrastructure concepts including opportunities for national realisation or international cooperation. A corresponding list of options can be found below. DLR scientists from various disciplines were asked to assess the usability of these options and design payloads based on their Mir and ISS experience and with respect to future scientific fundamental and technological research questions

Review of Final Payload Test Results for the RemoveDebris Active Debris Removal Mission

International audienceSince the beginning of the space era, a huge amount of debris has progressively been generated in space. Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions have been suggested as a way of limiting and controlling future growth in orbital space debris by actively sending up vehicles to remove debris. The EC FP7 RemoveDebris mission, which started in 2013, draws on the expertise of some of Europe's most prominent space institutions in order to demonstrate key ADR technologies in a low-cost ambitious manner: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation, dragsail de-orbiting. This paper provides a review of final payload test results before launch. A comprehensive test campaign is underway on both payloads and platform. The tests aim to demonstrate both functional success of the experiments and that the experiments can survive the space environment. Space environmental tests (EVT) include vibration, thermal, vacuum or thermal-vacuum (TVAC) and in some cases EMC and shock. The test flow differs for each payload and depends on the heritage of the constituent payload parts. The paper will also provide an update to the launch, expected in 2017 from the International Space Station (ISS), and test philosophy that has been influenced from the launch and prerequisite NASA safety review for the mission. The RemoveDebris mission aims to be one of the world's first in-orbit demonstrations of key technologies for active debris removal and is a vital prerequisite to achieving the ultimate goal of a cleaner Earth orbital environment