The RemoveDEBRIS satellite was deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, marking the business end of the mission that will test \u2013 for the first time \u2013 new technology aimed at capturing and deorbiting space junk.
\nThe satellite rode to the ISS in the CRS-14 Dragon, following its launch via a Falcon 9 back in April.<\/p>\n
Built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the spacecraft is based around the SSTL-42 satellite bus. The mission, which has received funding from the European Union, will see the satellite demonstrate techniques for capturing and deorbiting debris from low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n
The spacecraft features three Airbus technologies to perform Active Debris Removal (ADR): a net and a harpoon to capture debris, and also a Vision Based Navigation (VBN) system to develop rendezvous techniques in orbit with space debris.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have spent many years developing innovative active debris removal systems to be at the forefront of tackling this growing problem of space debris and to contribute to the UNs\u2019 Sustainable Development Goals for our future generations,\u201d noted Nicolas Chamussy, Head of Airbus Space Systems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to work closely with teams across the world to make our expertise available to help solve this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
It began its mission via deployment from the space station via the Japanese Experiment Module\u2019s robotic arm on Wednesday.<\/p>\n