VISHWA ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF173-016

Description

Spent Rocket Bodies (SRB) from decades of launch of satellites into Earth orbit are the largest component of space debris by mass, and they may pose a significant present and future threat to operation of space systems in certain orbits. Most of these objects will remain in place for several more decades before they re-enter the Earths atmosphere and eventually burn up. Recognizing the broader challenges of space debris, multiple organizations have created concepts for mitigating that debris and de-orbiting space junk. The concepts include attaching propulsion modules, electrodynamic tethers, and drag enhancement devices including sails and balloons. USAF is interested in long term reduction in the number of large SRBs in low earth orbits, especially near-polar and sun synchronous orbits to help preserve and extend the effective use of space. Vishwa Robotics proposes a completely novel, low cost, use and lose, miniature space craft that will engage a tumbling SRB and stabilize it and perform a controlled deorbiting maneuver without use of any external tether or power source like solar panels, RTGs etc., except a small battery.