Focus on Your Mission And Leave the Deorbiting to Us.
Orbotic Systems, Inc. Introduces the Deorbit Drag Device, the D3. Our device provides a safe, cost-effective method to speed up spacecraft disposal after its mission science is complete.
D3 modulates spacecraft drag force, while controlling orientation and orbital decay. It can be used to maneuver a satellite or constellation, deorbit a satellite, and target the re-entry location. D3 does this passively, without any rocket propellant, making it the ideal deorbit solution.
REDUCES THE CHALLENGES OF SMALL SPACECRAFT OPERATORS
- Orbital debris mitigation
- FCC '5-year orbital debris rule' compliance
- Avoid collisions and risk of generating new debris
- Space traffic management and satellite control
- Improve ground radar visibility
- Lower mission cost by reducing complexity
- Passive system, no explosive risk
- Fits up to a 12U small satellite
- Deorbit as high as 700 km
Small satellites can be deorbited by modulating drag force using D3. Avoid expensive propulsive devices, explosive propellant, or major modifications to the satellite.
D3 is designed to be compliant with the September 2024 FCC rule “…requiring non-geostationary satellite operators to deorbit their satellite after the end of operations to minimize the risk of collisions that would create debris”.
By physically attaching D3 to a host spacecraft prior to flight, a satellite operator could operate in Low Earth Orbit regimes where they normally might not be compliant, due to the recently implemented five-year post-mission disposal rule.
This self-contained product will interface directly onto the CubeSat or small spacecraft with a mere increase in the overall size by 10cm x 10cm x 7.1cm (1U CubeSat form factor). D3 begins operation via an encrypted end-of-life command, at which time it will utilize the host spacecraft’s power system to deploy its drag surfaces.
Orbotic Systems is flexible and can work with customers to upgrade D3 to provide atmospheric entry targeting, telemetry, and alternative power sources to provide the spacecraft operator with mission flexibility and end-of-mission alternatives.
This product has been functionally tested in a ground environment and was successfully deployed in September 2022 from the International Space Station.
Orbotic Systems is a privately held company based in Thousand Oaks, California. Our vision is to advance human progress in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with innovative business methods and new technology.