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A prototype satellite named SBUDNIC, built by students at Brown University, Rhode Island, has successfully fulfilled its purpose. The satellite was developed to test a deployable drag sail that could help de-orbit defunct satellites and reduce space junk in low Earth orbit. SBUDNIC was constructed using low-cost off-the-shelf commercial components and featured a drag sail made from Kapton polyimide film, with structural supports of thin aluminum tubing.

SBUDNIC was deployed in orbit for 445 days before burning up on re-entry earlier this month. It was sent into space as part of a payload aboard the SpaceX Transporter 5 launch in May of the previous year. The satellite’s drag sail deployed at an altitude of approximately 520 kilometers, causing its orbit to decay. Tracking data obtained from US Space Command indicated that SBUDNIC reached a minimum altitude of 146 kilometers on August 8 before being destroyed by burning up in the atmosphere.

The project’s success offers a potential solution to the growing problem of space junk in low Earth orbit. By incorporating similar drag sail mechanisms, future satellites could be de-orbited at the end of their operational life spans. The drag device used in SBUDNIC is significantly less costly compared to other methods to tackle space junk, such as space tow trucks or capture nets. It offers a cost-effective solution to reduce the time satellites remain in space.

Although SBUDNIC’s success does not address existing space debris, it demonstrates the feasibility of de-orbiting inactive satellites in a cost-efficient manner. The prototype satellite, measuring 3U CubeSat, was comprised of three 10cm cubes joined together and included a Arduino system and 65 AA lithium batteries. The project team believes that incorporating drag sails into future satellite designs can make a significant contribution to mitigating the problem of space junk in Earth’s orbit.

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