REDEMPTION (REmoval of DEbris using Material with Phase Transition: IONospherical tests) is an experiment proposed by the Space Robotic Laboratory (SRL) of the II Faculty of Engineering of the University of Bologna "ALMA MATER STUDIORUM" selected by a panel of experts of the ESA (European Space Agency), DLR (German Aerospace Agency), SNSB (Swedish National Space Board) and SSC (Swedish Space Corporation) to fly onboard the sounding rocket REXUS in March 2012 in the framework of the REXUS/BEXUS Programme (Rocket and Balloon Experiments for University Students). The experiment was developed by researchers, master and PhD students in the framework of activities of SRL dedicated to hands-on education, being a link between the two main programs of the Group of Space Robotics: nanosatellite manufacturing (in collaboration with the Group of Space Systems of University of Rome "LA SAPIENZA") and space debris observation and tracking with the dedicated observatory "ALMASCOPE". Space debris are an increasing problem in space environment for both operative satellites and human activity in space. According to the most recent studies an unstable situation that could lead to a degenerative event known as "Kessler Syndrome" is close to come in low Earth orbital regimes. In order to avoid this situation a number of solutions are under evaluation to shift uncontrolled objects in a safer orbit. Unfortunately, at the moment a feasible solution has not yet been found and one of the main issues is the system to catch non-cooperative objects in orbit. REDEMPTION proposes a new system based on a sprayed foam that solidifies, which can be used as a link between the catcher satellite and the debris. This substance is a bi-component polyurethane foam which expands and becomes rigid, which has never been space qualified or tested in near space condition. Thus, the main goal of the REDEMPTION experiment is to verify the foam components mixing process and near space conditions generated foam properties. Different experiments will be performed in microgravity, each one located in a dedicated sector of the rocket module to test foam characteristics in microgravity. The paper describes the foam characteristics, the experiment configuration, concept, design, mechanical assembling, preliminary testing and expected results. Copyright ©2010 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved.
Redemption: A microgravity experiment to test foam for space debris removal / Piergentili, Fabrizio; M. l., Battagliere; G. p., Candini; J., Piattoni; F., Romei; A., Spadanuda; S., Toschi; M., Valdatta; Santoni, Fabio. - STAMPA. - 3:(2011), pp. 2249-2256. (Intervento presentato al convegno 62nd International Astronautical Congress 2011, IAC 2011 tenutosi a Cape Town nel 3 October 2011 through 7 October 2011).
Redemption: A microgravity experiment to test foam for space debris removal
PIERGENTILI, FABRIZIO;SANTONI, Fabio
2011
Abstract
REDEMPTION (REmoval of DEbris using Material with Phase Transition: IONospherical tests) is an experiment proposed by the Space Robotic Laboratory (SRL) of the II Faculty of Engineering of the University of Bologna "ALMA MATER STUDIORUM" selected by a panel of experts of the ESA (European Space Agency), DLR (German Aerospace Agency), SNSB (Swedish National Space Board) and SSC (Swedish Space Corporation) to fly onboard the sounding rocket REXUS in March 2012 in the framework of the REXUS/BEXUS Programme (Rocket and Balloon Experiments for University Students). The experiment was developed by researchers, master and PhD students in the framework of activities of SRL dedicated to hands-on education, being a link between the two main programs of the Group of Space Robotics: nanosatellite manufacturing (in collaboration with the Group of Space Systems of University of Rome "LA SAPIENZA") and space debris observation and tracking with the dedicated observatory "ALMASCOPE". Space debris are an increasing problem in space environment for both operative satellites and human activity in space. According to the most recent studies an unstable situation that could lead to a degenerative event known as "Kessler Syndrome" is close to come in low Earth orbital regimes. In order to avoid this situation a number of solutions are under evaluation to shift uncontrolled objects in a safer orbit. Unfortunately, at the moment a feasible solution has not yet been found and one of the main issues is the system to catch non-cooperative objects in orbit. REDEMPTION proposes a new system based on a sprayed foam that solidifies, which can be used as a link between the catcher satellite and the debris. This substance is a bi-component polyurethane foam which expands and becomes rigid, which has never been space qualified or tested in near space condition. Thus, the main goal of the REDEMPTION experiment is to verify the foam components mixing process and near space conditions generated foam properties. Different experiments will be performed in microgravity, each one located in a dedicated sector of the rocket module to test foam characteristics in microgravity. The paper describes the foam characteristics, the experiment configuration, concept, design, mechanical assembling, preliminary testing and expected results. Copyright ©2010 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
