RemoveDEBRIS (RemDeb) [SSTL]
DebrisSat 1 [SSTL]
DebrisSat 2 [SSTL]
Official name REMOVEDEBRIS
Alternative name RemoveDebris
Cospar ID 1998-067NT
Norad ID 43510
Launch date 1998-11-20
Launch site TTMTR
Launch vehicle Falcon-9 v1.2
Country/Organization UK
Type application Technology
Operator University of Surrey, SSTL et al.
RCS size MEDIUM
Decay date 2021-12-04
Shape Box
Mass (kg) 100
Height (m) 0.7
Width (m) 0.7
Depth (m) 0.7
Span (m^2) 2
Contractors SSTL (prime)
Configuration SSTL-42 (SSTL X50) (RemoveDEBRIS); CubeSat (2U) (DebrisSat 1, 2)
Power Solar cells, batteries (Remove DEBRIS); batteries (DebrisSat 1); solar cells, batteries (DebrisSat 2)

RemoveDEBRIS (RemDeb) is a microsatellite built by SSTL to perform key Active Debris Removal (ADR) technology demonstrations (e.g capture, deorbiting) representative of an operational scenario during a low-cost mission using novel key technologies for ADR.

Several organisations from several countries are involved:

  • University of Surrey, UK, is the project coordinator, CubeSat development and de-orbit technology development
  • Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), UK, is the satellite platform provider and conducts satellite operations
  • Airbus Defense and Space (AD&S), Germany, France, UK, performs mission and system engineering, net development, vision-based navigation development, harpoon development
  • Innovative Solutions in Space BV (ISIS), The Netherlands, is responsible for the CubeSat deployers and subsystems
  • Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Development (CSEM), Switzerland, provides the LiDAR camera
  • Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), France, develops the VBN (Vision Based Navigation) algorithms
  • Stellenbosch University ? Electronic System Laboratory (ESL), South Africa, provides CubeSat ADCS hardware and software

SSTL is designing and manufacturing a satellite platform, based on the SSTL-50, that will release, capture and deorbit two space debris targets, called DebriSATs, in sequence using various rendezvous, capture and deorbiting technologies thus demonstrating in orbit, key ADR technologies for future missions.

RemoveDEBRIS will demonstrate following technologies:

  • capturing the DebriSat 1 target cubesat with a deployable net, RemDeb Net. The battery powered DebrisSat 1 will deploy an inflated structure in the shape of an octahedron tensegrity.
  • perform a harpoon test with a target deployed on a boom (HTA, Harpoon Target Assembly).
  • perform vision based navigation with the solar powered DebrisSat 2 target cubesat.
  • deploy a DragSail to increase atmospheric drag at the end of the mission.

The satellite was launched on the Dragon CRS-14 cargo transporter to the ISS in April 2018, from where it was deployed on 20 June 2018. On 16 September 2018, DebrisSat 1 was deployed and captured with the RemDeb Net, which stayed together in orbit. DebrisSat 2 was deployed on 29 October 2018.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
REMOVEDEBRIS 1998-067NT 1998-11-20 TTMTR Falcon-9 v1.2 with Dragon CRS-14, MISSE-FF 1, ASIM, PFCS, DebrisSat 1, DebrisSat 2, UBAKUSAT, 1KUNS-PF, Irazú
REMDEB-NET 1998-067PM 1998-11-20 TTMTR Falcon-9 v1.2 with Dragon CRS-14, MISSE-FF 1, ASIM, PFCS, RemoveDEBRIS, DebrisSat 1, DebrisSat 2, UBAKUSAT, 1KUNS-PF, Irazú
REMDEB-DS2 1998-067PR 1998-11-20 TTMTR Falcon-9 v1.2 with Dragon CRS-14, MISSE-FF 1, ASIM, PFCS, RemoveDEBRIS, DebrisSat 1, RemDeb Net, UBAKUSAT, 1KUNS-PF, Irazú