Overview and Key Technology of the Membrane Drag Sail for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Deorbit

Abstract

With the escalating frequency of space activities, particularly the launch of constellation satellites, the amount of space debris experienced gradually increases, posing threats to the safety and sustainability of the space environment. To counteract the growth of debris, active deorbit devices are imperative for spacecrafts. In low Earth orbit (LEO), the drag sail device has emerged as a highly effective solution due to its ability to increase the spacecraft’s windward area, facilitating rapid deorbit by leveraging atmospheric drag as the primary perturbation. In this study, recent developments of membrane drag sail deorbit technology for LEO satellites are summarized, as well as the current problems such as attitude instability, dangerous space environment, and folding and unfolding issues. Moreover, crucial technologies such as modeling and simulation of deorbit efficiency, attitude stabilization, collision risk analysis and protection design, sail surface atomic oxygen protection design, and folding and unfolding of the drag sail are discussed. Finally, the development trends and technology applications of membrane drag sail deorbit for LEO satellites are presented.