CleanCube: A Zero Debris CubeSat Platform

Following a pre-phase A study to assess the feasibility of CubeSats being compliant to various space debris mitigation rules, ISISPACE is engaging into the Phase A work for a proposed a 12U IOD/IOV CubeSat mission “CleanCube”. The project is part of ESA’s OSIP initiatives to demonstrate the technologies that can provide compliance to stricter space debris mitigation requirements. To ensure a wide applicability of the solution, a consolidated baseline among the currently applicable ESA Space Debris Mitigation Requirements, the French Law, FCC, ISO Standard among others and foreseen future evolution was created. The emphasis of this study is placed on addressing the gaps in the current CubeSat design philosophy in terms of space debris management. This concept actively addresses them, challenging the common approach of a passive compliance enforcement. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of the CubeSats niche outside of the low range of LEO, ensuring the survivability of the downscaled technologies. This study will demonstrate the feasibility for early identification, refined space situational awareness, improved system reliance & health monitoring, high reliability in active collision avoidance maneuvers and passivation as well as end-of-life concerns. Additionally, the mitigations towards dark and quite skies will be addressed. Finally, the preliminary results from the previous phase emphasize the need to re-asses the level of automation required on both Space and Ground Segment to provide a viable solution, this became a major consideration within the scope. The mission will host a set of primary payloads for space debris mitigation purposes and secondary payloads, which once identified will define the secondary mission objectives.