. 24/7 Space News .
TECH SPACE
Millennium Space Systems completes DRAG RACER satellite qualification ahead of orbital debris mission
by Staff Writers
Chantilly VA (SPX) Jul 17, 2020

file illustration

TriSept Corporation, a leading provider of launch integration and mission management services, and Millennium Space Systems has announced preparations are underway for the experimental DRAG RACER orbital debris mission payload to be delivered to New Zealand and integrated aboard a Rocket Lab Electron ahead of the planned launch this fall.

Millennium has completed space qualification of its two DRAG RACER small satellites that will embark on a first-of-its-kind Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission to help solve the orbital debris challenge in space.

The DRAG RACER mission will use scientific methods to compare the deorbit performance of two identical satellites - one that will reenter naturally and a second satellite featuring a tether developed by Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) that is expected to significantly accelerate the deorbit process.

Millennium plans to observe, evaluate and characterize the satellite hosting the 70-meter-long (230 feet) Terminator Tape tether aboard the control satellite, while calibrating predictive models through the use of radar tracking data.

An onboard timer will trigger the tether deployment on the experimental satellite a few days into the mission, with reentry estimates averaging about a month-and-a-half, while the untethered spacecraft could take up to nine years to reenter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up.

"We are motivated to study and quantify space tether applications as they will offer the LEO space community worldwide both improved deorbit capabilities and unique propulsive solutions," said Stan Dubyn, Millennium Space Systems Founder and CEO.

"This orbital debris mitigation experiment exemplifies our commitment to fielding innovative concepts using low-cost solutions."

Once launched, the DRAG RACER mission payload will separate into two identical 6U satellites with identical stowed mass properties and drag coefficients.

"The DRAG RACER mission is built on an innovative collaboration between Millennium Space Systems, TriSept, Tether's Unlimited and Rocket Lab that is dedicated to exploring and enabling creative and affordable solutions to the orbital debris challenge," said Rob Spicer, TriSept President and CEO.

"We look forward to leading the integration effort for this historic payload that could ultimately play an integral role in clearing orbital debris from Low Earth Orbit for years and generations to come."

"The space community understands tether systems can expedite reentry, but this is our first opportunity to truly quantify performance directly and more effectively calibrate models developed over the last 50 years," said Dr.

Robert Hoyt, President of Tether's Unlimited. "Predictions suggest the tethered spacecraft will deorbit in approximately 45 days, while the untethered spacecraft remains in orbit for approximately seven to nine years."


Related Links
Millennium Space Systems
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


TECH SPACE
Reducing the risk of space debris collision
Washington DC (SPX) Jun 19, 2020
As humanity expands its horizons beyond the Earth and begins to consider space missions with extended duration, sustainability necessitates the launch of more space vehicles, increasing the risk of collision with existing space debris. One method of clearing this debris involves a tug vehicle dragging it to a safe region. In a new paper published in EPJ Special Topics, authors Antonio Delson Conceicao de Jesus and Gabriel Luiz F. Santos, both from the State Univer ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TECH SPACE
Astronauts add expertise, refine space station science in orbit

Duckweed is an incredible, radiation-fighting astronaut food

Astronauts conclude third spacewalk on historic SpaceX mission

From the Moon to Mars: China's march across space

TECH SPACE
Spaceflight unveils next-gen orbital transfer vehicle to fly aboard SpaceX mission

Southern Launch prepares for lift off In South Australia

Soyuz Launches From Kourou to Resume in October, German Aerospace Centre Says

New electric propulsion chamber explores the future of space travel

TECH SPACE
UAE again delays Mars probe launch over weather

The quest to find signs of ancient life on Mars

NASA's InSight Flexes Its Arm While Its 'Mole' Hits Pause

Emirates Mars Mission to launch with ASU instrument

TECH SPACE
Tianwen 1 probe to soon blast off for Mars

China's newest carrier rocket fails in debut mission

China's tracking ship wraps up satellite launch monitoring

Final Beidou launch marks major milestone in China's space effort

TECH SPACE
Satellite for US Air Force launched as part of L3Harris' Responsive Constellation Contract

SpaceX delays launch of mini-satellites

Airbus expands its SpaceDataHighway with second satellite

Columbus gets a new European science rack

TECH SPACE
NASA's Deep Space Station in Australia Is Getting an Upgrade

Shock-dissipating fractal cubes could forge high-tech armor

Programmable balloons pave the way for new shape-morphing devices

Portable system boosts laser precision, at room temperature

TECH SPACE
Artificial intelligence predicts which planetary systems will survive

'Disk Detective' Needs Your Help Finding Disks Where Planets Form

NASA Awards SETI Institute Contract for Planetary Protection Support

Supercomputer reveals atmospheric impact of gigantic planetary collisions

TECH SPACE
Subaru Telescope and New Horizons explore the outer Solar System

The collective power of the solar system's dark, icy bodies

Ocean in Jupiter's moon Europa "could be habitable"

Evidence supports 'hot start' scenario and early ocean formation on Pluto









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.