RemoveDEBRIS (RemDeb)

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• REMOVEDEBRIS is a satellite research project intending to demonstrate various space debris removal technologies. Rather than engaging in active debris removal (ADR) of real space debris, the REMOVEDEBRIS mission plan is to test the efficacy of several ADR technologies on mock targets in low Earth orbit. In order to complete its planned experiments the platform is equipped with a net, a harpoon, a laser ranging instrument, a dragsail, and two CubeSats (miniature research satellites).

Mission details:

• Surrey′s RemoveDebris satellite began active operations in September 2018. On Sep 16, 2018 at 2306 UTC the satellite ejected a 2U cubesat, DebrisSat-1.
  RemoveDebris then fired a net at the tumbling satellite; the net wrapped around DebrisSat, increasing its drag coefficient - which will accelerate its reentry.
• The Surrey RemoveDebris spacecraft ejected its second cubesat subsatellite, DebrisSat-2, at 06:15 UTC on Oct 28, 2018. RemDeb then observed DebrisSat-2 with its laser ranging instrument, a test of so-called Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) that could be used by an active debris removal mission to approach its target.

External links:

• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking