RIDDANCE: Removal of Irregular Debris using Double Assisted Nets with Controlled Enhancement

The increasing accumulation of space debris presents a significant threat to the sustainability of space operations. Over the years, this challenge has prompted the exploration of active debris removal strategies, with tether-nets emerging as one of the most promising technologies. Tether-net systems rely on flexible, lightweight nets that capture debris by entangling it, followed by towing the debris to a safer orbit or enabling its atmospheric re-entry. The RIDDANCE - Removal of Irregular Debris using Double Assisted Nets with Controlled Enhancement - system is a bolt-on double-net capture solution designed to safely and efficiently deorbit space debris. Phase I efforts focused on developing the mechanical design, net deployment dynamics, and control strategies necessary to achieve an effective debris removal solution. The work completed during Phase I successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the launching mechanism through laboratory testing, validating core design elements, including net deployment. However, further refinements are needed to improve deployment consistency and optimize autonomous operations to meet real-world conditions and mission requirements.

NASA Potential Applications for RIDDANCE 1. Orbital Debris Mitigation – RIDDANCE can support NASA’s efforts to capture and remove hazardous space debris, aligning with the agency’s Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) and broader space sustainability initiatives. 2. End-of-Life Satellite Deorbit Assistance – The system can be integrated into future NASA satellite missions, providing a reliable and cost-effective method for controlled deorbiting at the end of mission life. 3. Autonomous On-Orbit Capture Missions – RIDDANCE could enhance NASA's autonomous rendezvous and capture operations, supporting programs like OSAM (On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing). 4. Lunar Gateway and Artemis Support – The system may assist in maintaining clean orbital environments around lunar and cis-lunar assets by capturing debris or failed spacecraft near the Lunar Gateway. 5. Space Servicing and Maintenance – RIDDANCE could be adapted for non-destructive retrieval of malfunctioning spacecraft or modules for servicing or repositioning in orbit. 6. SmallSat and CubeSat Recovery – As NASA increases its use of small satellites, RIDDANCE could provide a means for recovering malfunctioning or non-responsive assets. 7. Planetary Defense Support – The net capture technology could be studied for potential adaptation in planetary defense missions, such as capturing small space objects for analysis or deflection testing. 1. End-of-Life Management – Private satellite operators (e.g., SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper) can safely deorbit aging or malfunctioning satellites, ensuring compliance with regulatory deorbit timelines. 2. Space Debris Cleanup Services – Companies specializing in active debris removal (ADR) (e.g., Astroscale, ClearSpace) could integrate RIDDANCE into their capture mechanisms, enhancing their ability to remove space junk. 3. Government and Military Space Asset Recovery – U.S. Space Force and other defense agencies could use RIDDANCE for retrieving failed or compromised defense satellites, reducing risk and recovering sensitive technology. 4. On-Orbit Servicing and Maintenance – RIDDANCE could be used by commercial space servicing companies to capture and reposition satellites, assist in hardware replacements, or extend mission life. 5. Geostationary Satellite Repositioning – Operators of GEO satellites could use RIDDANCE as a means to capture and reposition spacecraft to new orbital slots without requiring dedicated propulsion systems. 6. Cislunar and Deep Space Operations – As more commercial companies expand into lunar and deep space exploration (e.g., Blue Origin, Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines), RIDDANCE could provide a safety mechanism for capturing and managing failed or drifting assets. 7. Space Tourism and Private Space Stations – With the rise of private space stations (e.g., Axiom Space, Vast), RIDDANCE could help maintain clean orbital environments by capturing debris or non-functional modules. 8. Insurance and Liability Risk Reduction – Satellite insurers may encourage the use of RIDDANCE as a standard component in spacecraft design to reduce financial and liability risks associated with failed satellite deorbiting. 9. Space Logistics and Recycling – Companies focused on sustainable space operations (e.g., Nanoracks’ Outpost program) could use RIDDANCE for capturing and recycling spent satellites or defunct spacecraft components.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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