Bolt-On Capture Detumble Deorbit Device

The development of technology to enable the capture, detumbling, and, if necessary, de-orbiting of errant orbiting space objects is crucial for the long-term sustainability and safety of space operations. As the number of satellites and spacecraft in Earth’s orbit increases each year, so does the amount of space debris which pose a serious danger to both current and future space missions. Without the ability to manage the growth of these errant objects, the likelihood of collisions will increase dramatically, triggering a cascade of events often referred to as the Kessler Syndrome, where each collision generates more debris, further escalating the risk of additional collisions. In the proposed effort, we will carry out a design for a Bolt-on Capture, Detumbling, De-orbit Device for Space Objects, the BoCaD. The design will build on the work we did in the past, where we used inflatable booms constructed from laminates of structural fabric. The booms start as straight, and upon contact with the object, can be commanded to grapple around it. The tumbling rate is reduced with the use of small thrusters in combination with a pair of cable-attached yo-yo masses. If de-orbiting is desired, a BoDe (Bolt-on Deorbiter for Satellites) device deploys, increasing the system’s surface area against the atmosphere. For higher altitudes, where there is very little to no atmospheric drag, a passively self-articulating vane skirt powered by shape memory alloy material is used. The vanes passively follow and unfollow the sun to capture and avoid solar radiation pressure, depending on what side of the orbit the device is on. The object loses orbital energy on the ram side of the orbit and avoids absorbing solar pressure on the other side. The end result is a gradual decrease in orbital altitude, eventually leading to orbit decay. The vanes can be reversed if it is desired to place the object in a higher altitude parking orbit.

By advancing the development of autonomous, inflatable-boom-based grappling systems, NASA and its partners could enable safer, more efficient, and economically viable solutions for cleaning up Earth's orbit. This technology represents a transformative step toward preserving the orbital environment, mitigating collision risks, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of satellite operations for both government and commercial space missions. The potential applications for NASA include (1) Active Debris Removal (ADR), (2) collision avoidance systems where the inflatable booms can gently nudge objects to adjust their orbits and prevent collisions, (3) orbiting refueling and maintenance support—inflatable booms equipped with docking tools for servicing aging satellites, (4) satellite rescue and relocation—grabbing and repositioning malfunctioning or misaligned satellites, (5) In-Space Manufacturing and Assembly (ISAM), (6) expandable antenna and solar array deployment, (7) asteroid capture and sample return, (8) space tug systems, and (9) emergency crew rescue booms—extendable arms to grab and retrieve astronauts in distress during EVAs, among others. Non-NASA applications will be commercial and military in nature. Commercial applications include (1) satellite life extension, which involves assisting private satellite operators by stabilizing and refueling aging satellites; (2) orbital logistics and tug services, which move customer satellites to different orbits or deorbit defunct satellites; and (3) in-space manufacturing and construction, which enable private companies to build structures in space. Some military and defense applications encompass (1) space object inspection and repair, using inflatable booms to assess and fix damaged or compromised military satellites; (2) counter-space threat mitigation, involving grappling and disabling hostile or rogue satellites in orbit; and (3) covert debris removal, which quietly deorbits sensitive or classified defunct satellites to prevent adversarial exploitation.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.