Author(s) :

Davy van Wingerden.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The issue of orbital debris has become increasingly critical, particularly with the rapid expansion of satellite constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. These initiatives are expected to significantly increase the number of CubeSats in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), substantially raising the risk of orbital collisions. As Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly congested, the threat of Kessler syndrome—a cascade of collisions generating more debris—looms larger. To address this challenge, I propose a mission concept for orbital debris remediation utilizing aerogel collector satellites. Aerogels are ultralight, synthetic, microporous materials that have demonstrated their efficacy in capturing high-velocity particles, as evidenced by their success in NASA’s Stardust mission in 1999. Their unique microporous structure enables them to decelerate hypervelocity particles over a very short distance without fragmentation. This mission envisions deploying an emergency aerogel-based orbital debris collector in response to sudden debris surges, such as those caused by satellite collisions or anti-satellite missile tests. The proposed system involves a medium-sized, bus-shaped spacecraft equipped with a deployable aerogel shield. In its stowed configuration, the aerogel is compactly folded into a circular structure. Once in orbit, it unfolds to form a protective barrier positioned at the spacecraft’s front. In the event of a debris-generating collision in LEO, up to 10 of these spacecrafts would be launched using Rocket Lab’s Electron launch system. Once deployed, the satellites would navigate through the debris cloud, capturing as much material as possible. After approximately one year, the spacecraft would deorbit and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the collected debris to burn up upon re-entry.