New order for the Como-based D-Orbit, which through its British branch signs a contract with the European Space Agency for the development of technology for the removal of space debris. The contract, worth 2.2 million euros, provides for the development and demonstration in orbit of a “Deorbit Kit”, an autonomous package of devices that will allow spacecraft of any size to perform propulsive disposal maneuvers.
The disposal kit proposed by D-Orbit is an autonomous package of devices that can be adapted to spacecraft of any size to allow them to carry out propulsive disposal maneuvers at the end of the mission or removal following a failure, even in the event of loss of contact with the spacecraft. The kit and the corresponding technical knowledge are also fundamental skills that can be used in the future as part of pilot missions for active debris removal.
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«We believe that the development and in-orbit demonstration of this system – says Simon Reid, COO of the British branch of D-Orbit – will pave the way for the development of several other applications of autonomous orbital removal systems for future missions in low Earth orbit. Furthermore, the work carried out within this activity will create a fundamental competence that we can exploit in the future for active debris removal missions, such as the installation in orbit of de-orbiting kits on satellites already in space ».
D-Orbit will lead a consortium in the development of the multipurpose kit, which will initially be installed on a Vega rocket payload adapter called Vespa (Vega Secondary Payload Adapter). This type of equipment is traditionally left in a phased disposal orbit which, while complying with current international guidelines, contributes to the growing debris problem. The kit will be installed prior to launch to perform a propulsive re-entry maneuver on a designated uninhabited area shortly after the payload is released.
«This contract – says Luca Rossettini, CEO of D-Orbit – represents an important milestone for the D-Orbit group and for the entire space sector. We, space pioneers in the space industrial ecosystem, must step forward and take action to preserve the future of our business and of all humanity. The first product we launched on the market a long time ago was a disposal device: today we are working to ensure that the problem of space debris is transformed into a commercial opportunity and a resource for the future development of space ».