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. BACKGROUND As CubeSats are used for more missions, de-orbit capability will be needed to minimize the hazards associated with on-orbit collisions and space debris. Additionally, safe de-orbit and recovery of small satellite payloads will broaden the mission capabilities of CubeSat systems, such as the return of scientific samples and payloads from Low Earth Orbit, or the deployment of low cost sensors on other planetary bodies. Most de-orbit systems proposed have only considered satellite end-of-life by de-orbit and destruction in Earth’s atmosphere. Andrews Space (Andrews) developed the CubeSat Deorbit and Recovery System (DRS) concept to safely protect a CubeSat class system and allow it to re-enter through the atmosphere and be recovered on the Earth’s surface. Figure 1 summarizes the CubeSat DRS design objectives. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 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. Based on the Design Reference Missions established, Andrews conducted a series of trade studies to derive specific design requirement. The design objectives are:  Mass and volume efficient: < 1U and < 1.5 kg  Standard CubeSat interface