ADEO – Deployable Deorbit Sails
Contact:
ADEO Online Configurator: You will receive your quote as soon as possible
Or directly: ADEO@hps-gmbh.com
ADEO has been flown and verified multiple times!
In-orbit video of the deployment of ADEO-N2 (15/12/2022) on board of ION-SVC-003 © D-Orbit/HPS GmbH
The Need: Clean Green Space
While it takes only minutes to launch satellites into space, it takes many years and decades before they decay naturally and remove themselves from space by burning up in the atmosphere.
With the rapidly increasing number of current and planned launches of objects into low earth orbit (LEO), space debris is becoming more and more of a risk for spaceflight missions in general.
To keep space accessible and safe for future generations, it is of utmost importance that spacecraft are removed from LEO after end-of-business. Most of the current considerations and regulations therefore state a deorbiting time of less than 5 years after end-of-business.
The easiest, cheapest and most reliable concept to comply to these rules using the ADEO deorbit subsystem.
The Solution: ADEO by HPS
The ADEO subsystem is a scalable drag augmentation device that uses the residual Earth atmosphere present in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to passively deorbit satellites between 1 to 1,500 kg.
To initiate the deorbit phase, a large surface is deployed which significantly increases the drag effect of the satellite´s surface. In turn, this increase in surface accelerates orbital decay.
The advantage of using a passive deorbiting system is that it does not require any additional propellant, nor active steering.
Passive deorbiting devices are therefore also especially suitable for spacecraft without propulsion system. Because no additional propellant or propulsion system is required to deorbit, ADEO is more cost-efficient and lightweight than any active deorbit system.
The ADEO Family
| ADEO-P(ico) | ADEO-C(ube) | ADEO-N(ano) | ADEO-M(edium) | ADEO-L(arge) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite Masses | 1 - 20 kg | 5 - 50 kg | 20 - 250 kg | 100 - 700 kg | 500 - 1,500 kg |
| ADEO Module Mass | 0.45 kg | 0.8 kg | 0.8 kg | 4.5 kg | 9.5 kg |
| ADEO Module Size (stowed) | 10 x 10 x 3.9 m | 9.5 x 9.5 x 7.2 m | 10 x 10 x 10 m | Diameter 29 m Height 13.4 m | 40.6 x 40.6 x 26 m |
| Sail Area | 1.7 m² | 3.4 m² | 5.0 m² | 15 m² | 25 m² |
| Deployment Mechanism | Spring-based | Spring-based | Spring-based | Controlled continuous deployment with spring | Electrical motor |
| Activation System | Pyro Cutter | Pyro Cutter | Pyro Cutter | Pyro Cutter | Release Nut |
| Mechanical Interface | 4 x M4 through holes Ø4,3 mm | CubeSat Standard | 4 x M5 thread (diam. 8.2 cm) | 8 x M6 thread (diam. 27.5 cm) | 8 x 7.0 mm hole (diam. 28/29 cm) |
| Electrical Interface | 2 Wires (free ends) | 4 Wires (free ends) | 2 Wires (free ends) | 4 Wires (free ends) | 3 Connectors D-Sub HD15, RS-422 |
| Electrical Power | 12V @1A – 10 msec | >1V @3A - 25 msec | 12V @1A – 10 msec | >1V @3A - 25 msec | 24-38 V |
ADEO-PICO
Technical Features:
- Application satellites: 1 – 20 kg
- ADEO module mass: 0.45 kg
- ADEO module size (stowed): 10 x 10 x 3.9 cm
- Sail area: 1.7 m²
- Spring-based
- Pyro Cutter as activation system
- Activation signal: by satellite
- Deployable boom material: Bi-stable steel tape spring
- Sail material: Thin Kapton-based foil (aluminium coated)
- Mechanical interface: 4 screws
- Electrical interface: 2 wires (free ends)
ADEO-CUBE
Technical Features:
- Application satellites: 5 – 50 kg
- ADEO module mass: 0.8 kg
- ADEO module size (stowed): 9.5 x 9.5 x 7.2 cm
- Sail area: 3.4 m²
- Spring-based
- Pyro Cutter as activation system
- Activation signal: by satellite
- Deployable boom material: Bi-stable steel tape spring
- Sail material: Thin Kapton-based foil (aluminium coated)
- Mechanical interface: Cubesat-Standard
- Electrical interface: 4 wires (free ends)
ADEO-N
Technical Features:
- Application satellites: 20 – 250 kg
- ADEO module mass: 0.8 kg
- ADEO module size (stowed): 10 x 10 x 10 cm
- Sail area: 5.0 m²
- Spring-based, constant deployment
- Pyro Cutter as activation system
- Activation signal: by satellite, as baseline (via ADEO’s watch dog as option)
- Deployable boom material: Bi-stable steel tape spring (-N) and Titanium (-M) mono-stable tape
- Sail material:
- either thin Kapton-based foil (aluminium coated)
- or, for IRIS2 soon available: non-reflective material (complying with the requirement “not disturbing astronomers”, even lowering reflection of satellite.
- Mechanical interface: 4 screws ADEO-N
- Electrical interface: 2 wires ADEO-N
- Customizable sail areas depending on spacecraft mass and deorbit time needs.
ADEO-M
Technical Features:
- Application satellites: 100 – 700 kg
- ADEO module mass: 4.5 kg
- ADEO module size (stowed): diameter 29cm; height 13.4 cm
- Sail area: 15m²
- Spring-based, constant deployment
- Pyro Cutter as activation system
- Activation signal: by satellite, as baseline (via ADEO’s watch dog as option)
- Autonomous functionality optional on request (deployment, when satellite out of operation)
- Deployable boom material: thin steel (-N) and tanium (-M) bistable blades
- Sail material:
- either thin Kapton-based foil (aluminium coated)
- or, for IRIS2 soon available: non-reflective material (complying with the requirement “not disturbing astronomers”, even lowering reflection of satellite.
- Mechanical interface: 8 screws ADEO-M
- Electrical interface: 4 wires ADEO-M
- Completely passive deorbiting without GNC within 5 years to be compliant with new deorbit regulations
- Customizable sail areas depending on spacecraft mass and deorbit time needs.
ADEO-L
Technical Features:
- Application satellites: 500 – 1,500 kg
- ADEO module mass: 9.5 kg
- ADEO module size (stowed): 40.6 x 40.6 x 26 cm
- Sail area: 25 m²
- Motorized deployment
- Own deployment control electronics
- Optional: own battery for autonomous deployment in case of satellite failure
- No onboard GNC required
Production
ADEO products can be ordered in their standard versions (see “the ADEO family”). The HPS staff is highly experienced, and off the shelf ADEO products have the advantage that they are extremely reliable while having a shorter lead time and a lower price than customized products.
Even though HPS offers a family of ADEO products, it is also possible to modify existing ADEO designs and tailor them to your specific needs, which can be an advantage for large constellations. If you are interested in this option, please contact us!
Price
HPS price promises:
- Every ADEO will be less expensive than an active deorbit system
- Every ADEO has a standard price per unit
- Every ADEO purchase of more than one unit will receive a discount
Contact us and ask for our price sheets!
ADEO Reviews
Example:
News from HPS about ADEO:
ADEO1 Archive – HPS GmbH
Gathared Public Articles:
HPS in the Media – HPS GmbH – The Team to Trust HPS GmbH – The Team to Trust (hps-gmbh.com)
- Selected Examples:
Documentary of ZDF (independent german television broadcaster):
http://Weltraumschrott – Gefahr aus dem All – ZDFmediathek
ADEO Online Configurator
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