Space Demonstration of Boom Extension and De-orbit Sail Deployment of the Separable De-orbit Mechanism of Micro-satellite ALE-1

Abstract

Many satellites are currently in orbit around the Earth and will remain so for years, even though they have completed their intended missions owing to their long natural de-orbiting times. Many methods have been proposed to increase the de-orbiting speed of such satellites, of which one uses atmospheric drag sails. The micro-satellite ALE-1 is equipped with a drag sail that is deployed at a distance from the satellite through the use of a boom element to ensure continuous communication and solar charging. The drag sail is also capable of separating itself from the micro-satellite if necessary to decrease the de-orbiting speed. This paper discusses an in-orbit demonstration where the aforementioned boom element is extended, as well as the deployment of the aforementioned drag sail and com-pares the space and ground experiment results.