E. Andrade, A. Banerjee, T. Courtois, B. Pumphrey, M. Vasquez, N. Rivera, J. Jarvis, B. Vinh, A. Shirwa, D. Rocha, J. Edwards, G. Baumann, J. Sanchez
Skyfall Space (student research team),
United States
Keywords: aerospace, orbital debris, space sustainability, low earth orbit (LEO), active debris removal (ADR), CubeSat, drag sail, flexible tethered net, space debris, Kessler effect
Summary:
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is increasingly congested with millions of pieces of human-made space debris, including defunct satellites, rocket bodies, and fragments from collisions. Space-track.org currently tracks 19,000 debris objects, yet NASA estimates that there are over 100 million untracked fragments, ranging from marble-sized to microscopic, traveling up to 19,000 mph. These high-velocity particles pose catastrophic risks to satellites, human missions, and critical infrastructure, exacerbating the Kessler Effect—a cascade of collisions generating ever-increasing debris. Addressing this challenge is essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of space activities. Skyfall Space’s CLEANS (Cubesat for Low Earth Orbit Asset Net and Sail Disposal) pathfinder mission offers an innovative solution for active debris removal (ADR) using a scalable, lightweight, and cost-effective 6U CubeSat platform. CLEANS employs a flexible tether net to capture debris of various sizes and shapes, coupled with a drag sail to facilitate deorbiting and drive down propulsion requirements. The net, designed for compact storage and durable against harsh space conditions, ensures efficient capture without causing fragmentation. The drag sail accelerates atmospheric drag, ensuring captured debris re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere within a five-year timeframe, in compliance with smallsat FCC guidelines. The mission operates in six phases: launch and orbit insertion, rendezvous with debris, net deployment, and drag sail-assisted deorbiting. Leveraging onboard propulsion, advanced computer vision algorithms, and integrated sensors, CLEANS will test the technology needed to enable semi-autonomous debris capture, providing a pathway for fully autonomous, scalable, and cost-effective ADR operations. The CubeSat’s compact design also supports future potential constellation deployment to address multiple targets in high-risk LEO regions. CLEANS integrates cross-disciplinary efforts in material science, mechanical design, and software development to ensure mission success. The team optimizes net materials, refines deployment mechanisms, and advances guidance, navigation, and control systems (GNC) alongside computer vision algorithms. To validate the durability of the net under harsh conditions of space, the team plans to conduct ground-based tests simulating temperature fluctuations, UV exposure, and atomic oxygen exposure using specialized equipment such as vacuum chambers and UV test setups. To supplement ground testing, the team is exploring the possibility of leveraging small-scale in-space testing opportunities, such as exposing material samples on commercial orbital platforms. Astrodynamics simulation tools such as AGI STK, MATLAB, and physics-based simulations in Blender validate the system’s performance and refine mission parameters. By demonstrating a robust, adaptable ADR strategy, the CLEANS mission addresses the growing threat of orbital debris while fostering sustainability in space. Continued effort and support for the project will advance ADR technology, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the viability of the orbital environments for future generations.