Space Junk Solution? Tiny Cubesat to Test New De-Orbiting Thruster

Re:Space Junk Solution? Tiny Cubesat to Test New De-Orbiting... by kortex on Sunday July 02, 2017 @04:07PM (#14684109)

> That's where D3 comes in. The device has independent power supply and communication systems. That means that D3 can deorbit a satellite even if the rest of the spacecraft is completely unresponsive, D-Orbit representatives said.

Totally independent system to provide redundancy for de-orbit in case control to the main satellite is lost, which is a problem.

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Re:Space Junk Solution? Tiny Cubesat to Test New De-Orbiting... by RealFakeDoors on Sunday July 02, 2017 @05:32PM (#14684467)

Yes, and D3 it's also an active removal sistem, that means that you can deorbit the satellite in pre selected locations and moment (like an ocean) in a matter of minutes, being in control of it. This does not happen when using tether or solar sail for deorbiting purpose and it may take years, depending on the orbit. Its basically the difference between parking a car and jumping out of it waiting for drag and friction to stop it.

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Re:Space Junk Solution? Tiny Cubesat to Test New De-Orbiting... by andygates on Monday July 03, 2017 @04:46AM (#14686838)

See SES's geo bird, which seems to have slightly blown up over the weekend.

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