Maxime Hubert Delisle

Design of a Capturing, Absorbing, SEcuring system for active space Debris removal

Space debris is caused by millions of non-functional, human-made objects left in space that become a hazard for current and future space missions. Yet, no Active Debris Removal (ADR) systems currently exist. Many methods have been proposed, but most of them are still in early technological development stages. CASED concerns the design, prototyping, and testing of a SotA flexible capturing mechanism for ADR missions that can be placed in a CubeSat-based (CS) structure, targeting a range of uncooperative space debris, reliable and cost-effective. In addition, CASED will verify and validate (V&V) the developed capture system in the close-to-real facility of SnT that simulates orbital scenarios. Therein, the project will tackle the following objectives: OBJ-1: Design and development of robust, reliable, flexible CS capturing mechanisms for ADR missions. OBJ-2: Prototype and test these novel capturing mechanisms in relevant close-to-real orbital scenarios at SnT facilities. OBJ-3: V&V of the performance of the selected system for ADR missions.