DIGIBEAM CORPORATION — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: X224-ODCSO2

Description

Digibeam is presenting a cost-effective technical solution to full-scale space debris remediation. In 2010, the DoD was assigned to pursue research and development of technologies and techniques to “mitigate and remove on-orbit debris as a necessary long-term approach to ensure the safety of flight operations in LEO orbital regimes. However, no program exists with a technically feasible Active Debris Removal (ADR) solution to address the full span of objects at an economically affordable, safe, environmentally friendly, and politically acceptable solution. ADR requirements must focus on removal of small size, but potential damaging fragments, as well as the removal of at least 5 of the highest risk objects (defined as mass times probability of collision) per year to stabilize the long-term LEO debris environment. Digibeam is presenting the development of a low-power, space-based particle beam projector system with the ability to detect, track, target, and remove smaller, high-velocity debris at extended standoff range, while delivering successive de-orbiting force to larger objects. Our approach is a small particle beam technology that can be packaged on a small to medium satellite payload. This Space Ablation System (SAS) concept was “derived from, extends, and concludes from USSF’s SBIR FX203-CS02-1467, outlining the application and performance feasibility for Digibeam’s commercial beam technology for space applications. The objective of this program is to execute models, simulation, and analysis verified by reduced scale experimental testing on an existing Proof-of-Concept (POC) system to confirm performance metrics leading to system development and commercialization. The proposed phase II adaptation explores testing a wide range of operational parameters outside the commercial solution to obtain experimental T&E (strictly for use in military systems). Our innovation is a scaled-up solution derived from a commercial system that originated the higher throughput performance. Customers for SAS include USSF, DAF and NASA.