Satellite Design Project
Bruce Burlton
[Link]
Carleton University
February 2014
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 1 / 11
What is the Satellite Design Project
I A largely student run Design Project tasked with the Preliminary
Design of a Vehicle to Operate in Space.
I Not just a paper design; some prototype hardware, a large amount of
simulation as part of the design process.
I Several Lead Engineers have significant related Industrial Experience;
the project runs much as it would in industry.
I In past, have attracted a great deal of Interest and Support from
industry.
I Several of our “alumni” have found employment in the space industry,
sometimes as a direct result of the PDR presentations.
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 2 / 11
Satellite Design Project
I The Design of a Satellite System to Rendezvous, and Deorbit Aging
or Defunct Satellites or Debris.
I An estimated (early 2103) 17,000 object currently orbit the Earth,
and mostly are “a hazard to navigation”.
I Kessler’s Syndrome:
I The Kessler syndrome proposed by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in
1978, is a scenario in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit
(LEO) is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a
cascade - each collision generating space debris which increases the
likelihood of further collisions. One implication is that the distribution
of debris in orbit could render space exploration, and even the use of
satellites, unfeasible for many generations.
I The Objective is to come up with new, creative and cost effective
ways in which to “remove the objects from orbit”.
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 3 / 11
Debris
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 4 / 11
Debris
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 5 / 11
LDEF Damage
Figure 2: Largest hole
Figure 1: Thermal approx 5 mm
Blanket Damage
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 6 / 11
Current Activities
I This year’s team have studied the problem and determined that
removing old and complete satellites “is the way to go”.
I They are working on defining the requirements for the mission and
satellite, and some tests/experiments to validate their proposal.
I Current proposal involves “casting a net around the debris piece” and
pulling it into a lower orbit.
I Significant challenges include:
I Design of the net and “net caster”
I Dealing with the fact that the debris is rotating
I Determining how best to “pull the debris out of orbit”, given that it is
at one end of a flexible tether.
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 7 / 11
Net Capture Approach
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 8 / 11
The Net
Cast the Net
Activities for Next Year
I Review and complete the requirements definition.
I Continue the validation and design of the “capture device”.
I Continue and advance the design of the satellite.
I Depending on this year’s result, possible change the “capture
mechanism”.
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 10 / 11
Major Challenges Remaining
I Dealing with the “unknown angular momentum of the debris”.
I De-orbiting the debris, given that it is “spinning” and “at the end of
a piece of rope”.
Bruce Burlton (Carleton University) Satellite Design Project February 2014 11 / 11
