ERAU Professor Invents Space Debris Solution | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.09.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Fri, Nov 26, 2021

ERAU Professor Invents Space Debris Solution

“A Workable Strategy” for Eliminating Space Debris

An Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor and his co-inventors patented a workable, functional solution to the prevention of spaceborne debris accumulation. Named the Drag De-Orbit Device, or D3, the system is designed to guide small satellites out of Earth orbit into the atmosphere where they burn up in re-entry. The increased usage of private and commercial satellites, even smaller ones for cheap research experiments, presents an ongoing risk for all

 orbital equipment. High-speed space flotsam can function similar to buckshot circling the globe, blocking off orbital stations or tracks from future use. 

The inventor, Dr. Riccardo Bevilacqua, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the university, saying “The D3 helps solve the problem of space debris by safely steering the atmospheric re-entry and demise of low-Earth orbit spacecraft.” His work piqued the interest of Orbotic Systems, a space debris specialist, and led to their licensing of his tech. “We are confident we will see the D3 attracting the attention of the private sector, given future plans on injecting thousands of small spacecraft into low orbits — for Earth observation, providing global internet and much more,” he said. “I would expect things to ramp up in the next five years or less.”

The D3 is a 10 by 10 by 5 centimeter system that mounts on the back of a satellite to connect with its flight control system. Using independently deployable and retractable booms, it can adjust its incoming trajectory while returning to earth, skimming the atmosphere so it can create a de-orbit track away from populated areas. It can double as a collision avoidance maneuvering system while in space, a bonus for satellite designers hoping for more control over their systems even after their deployment. 

Bevilacqua and graduate student Nicolo Woodward will begin the integration of new electronics into the system in preparation for test flights beginning in late spring 2022. 

FMI: www.orboticsystems.com, www.erau.edu

Advertisement

More News

Classic Aero-TV: Legacy of a Homebuilt P-38 Replica

From Oshkosh 2024 (YouTube Edition): Stunning Aircraft is a WWII Era Dream Come True William Presler, owner of Volar Avionics and Restorations, was given the opportunity to showcas>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.08.25)

Aero Linx: USAF E-9A The E-9A is a twin turboprop used as a surveillance platform to ensure the Gulf of Mexico waters are clear of civilian boaters and aircraft during live missile>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Avid Magnum

Pilot’s Failure To Maintain Clearance From The Water While Maneuvering In Low Visibility Conditions Analysis: During a local personal sightseeing flight, the pilot was maneuv>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.08.25): Landing Area

Landing Area Any locality either on land, water, or structures, including airports/heliports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or intended to be used, for the landing>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.08.25)

"I look forward to thoroughly evaluating Bryan Bedford to serve as FAA administrator, focusing on his qualifications, and the experience that will be needed to boldly modernize Ame>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC