Gecko Articulated Debris Gripper and Deorbiter Enhanced Technology

The amount of debris in Earth orbit is increasing at an alarming rate. If this trend continues, a detrimental effect to the space environment will occur, impacting the future of space travel and space traffic management. While many solutions to this growing threat have been proposed over the years, very few are capable of removing debris at a fast enough rate to combat its growth. A vast majority of these proposed solutions cannot adapt to the wide variety of debris geometry and the cost is prohibitive on a large scale. We offer a unique solution using shape metal alloys, gecko grippers (Starfish), non-explosive thrusters, and our De-orbit Drag Device (D3). As more and more objects are sent into orbit each year, the need for a sustainable solution is becoming critical. The goal of this Gecko Articulated Debris Gripper and Deorbiter Enhanced Technology (GADGET) proposal is to offer an innovative design and feasibility study that provides a solution to the orbital debris issue. The combination of concepts described herein, utilizes the Starfish and D3 modules for altitudes up to 700 km. The addition of a "green" thruster will allow GADGET to operate at higher altitudes. A modular design enables GADGET to be assembled in a small, CubeSat configuration. The end result is an autonomous debris remover that is adaptable to a multitude of different altitudes and debris categories, is cost effective, power efficient, light weight, and reusable.

Docking mechanism for dead spacecraft. Assist astronauts in an EVA Attach to space debris for removal Starfish gripper for use with on-orbit robots

On-orbit manufacturing and assembly On-orbit drone delivery Agriculture - picking (Starfish Module) Military – spy device grabber All NASA applications

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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