Aviation Commons^™

Glue-Infused Rotating Nanofibers Net (Gronnet) For Capturing Space Debris- A Novel Debris Capturing System, Sneha M. Raibagi, Prithvi S.J. Monteiro, Rashmi K. Pallam, Amogh Anantha Murthy, Amit G. Gadag, Sharanabasaweshwara Asundi, Oleksandr Kravchenko

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

It is evident that space debris is a growing concern, particularly in the low altitude Earth orbits, and if not addressed in time, may have a drastic socio-economic impact on civilization. This paper describes the Glue-infused Rotating Nanofibers Net (GRoNNet), a novel debris capturing system for pico/nano/micro-satellites (PNMSats). GRoNNet is designed as a modular, cost-effective system with the capability to capture target debris in multiple attempts and expedite its re-entry by attaching a debris mitigation system. It may be best described by comparing it with a chameleon’s tongue but several hundreds/thousands of them infused with a thick honey-like viscous adhesive …