Nanosat Deorbit and Recovery System to Enable New Missions

As the number of NanoSat and CubeSat missions increase, deorbit capability is needed to minimize the hazards associated with on-orbit collisions and space debris. In addition, the ability to conduct a controller re-entry of a CubeSat class spacecraft will enable new missions and ultimately support the development of Low Earth Orbit space commerce. Andrews Space has developed the CubeSat Deorbit and Recovery System (DRS) to address this need. The DRS is a standalone device that uses inflatable technology to shorten a spacecraft's lifetime by a factor of ten, or enable controlled re-entry and safe recovery of NanoSat and CubeSat class spacecraft. The CubeSat DRS is a 1U module that attaches to a standard 2U CubeSat. A signal from the spacecraft triggers the deployment of four hinged walls of the module and the inflation of a 1.2 meter, 60-degree tension-cone decelerator by the onboard pressurization system. If deorbit without recovery is all that is the mission objective, then the tension cone will cause accelerated orbit decay and the lightweight, strain-hardening materials that make up the system will burn up in the atmosphere. Alternately, if satellite recovery is the objective, the system uses high temperature / flexible materials that protect the payload from the reentry environment. Using a modest amount of delta-V provided by the payload, the DRS can be targeted into an un-populated area for landing and recovery. An integrated crushable structure provides a soft landing to the payload, and after landing the DRS transmits its GPS location via satellite for recovery. Andrews has developed system ground demonstrator and conducted system feasibility demonstrations. This paper will address the DRS mission application, design, performance, and ground demonstrator unit development and testing.