Final payload test results for the RemoveDebris active debris removal mission

• Published in: Acta astronautica 2017-09, Vol.138, p.326-342
• Main Authors: Forshaw, Jason L., Aglietti, Guglielmo S., Salmon, Thierry, Retat, Ingo, Roe, Mark, Burgess, Christopher, Chabot, Thomas, Pisseloup, Aurélien, Phipps, Andy, Bernal, Cesar, Chaumette, François, Pollini, Alexandre, Steyn, Willem H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ADR; Aerospace environments; Automotive parts; Computer Science; Debris removal; Deorbiting; Detritus; Dragsail; Earth orbits; Environmental testing; Experiments; Harpoon; Institutions; International Space Station; Navigation; Net; Payloads; Philosophy; Robotics; Space debris; Space debris mitigation; Space missions; Space stations; Vibration; Vision-based navigation
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.06.003

Since 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 deploying vehicles to remove debris. The European Commission FP7-sponsored 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 cost effective ambitious manner: net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation, dragsail de-orbiting. This paper provides an overview of some of the 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. •RemoveDebris is a low cost active debris removal (ADR) demonstration mission.•Mission consists of a microsatellite platform that ejects two “target” CubeSats.•Demonstrates the use of net and harpoon as debris capture technologies in space.•Paper provides overview of both functional and environmental payload testing.•Examination of specifics of launch from the International Space Station (ISS).