Taking out the garbage

RemoveDEBRIS holds possible answers for cleaning up low-Earth orbit 

On June 20, NanoRacks released the largest satellite deployed to date from the International Space Station. The NanoRacks-Remove Debris satellite focuses on testing strategies to make low-Earth orbit cleaner and safer.

NanoRacks-Remove Debris is equipped with separate harpoon and net systems to demonstrate two capture techniques. For target practice, the satellite takes aim at two CubeSats playing the part of rouge space junk. As of Sept. 16, the first net capture attempt from NanoRacks-Remove Debris was successful. If further testing proves out, future satellites could leverage this technology to begin clearing orbital debris.

Orbiting at high speed, orbital debris could pose a risk to the space station, satellites and crewed craft.

The satellite uses a vision-based navigation system to track the CubeSats. Similar systems could allow future satellites to hunt for, rather than passively wait on, nearby debris. In addition, the cameras onboard allow the satellite to assess each target’s size and shape to calculate the best capture strategy.

After testing, NanoRacks-Remove Debris will end its journey by deploying a drag sail, decaying its orbit quickly until it returns to Earth and burns up in the atmosphere.

The satellite was developed by Surrey Space Centre in partnership with a large consortium of international, academic and commercial partners. While this technology is still in the testing phase, lessons learned could contribute to safer space travel.

Check out the video below to watch this groundbreaking satellite’s construction.



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Morgan McAllister
NASA Johnson Space Center