Cleaning up Space: Airbus launches Detumbler to clean up space debris in Earth orbit

In response to the escalating issue of space debris cluttering Earth’s orbit, Airbus has unveiled a pioneering solution named Detumbler. Launched on Saturday via a Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, Detumbler is a magnetic damping device designed to prevent defunct satellites from uncontrollably tumbling in space. Weighing approximately 100 grams, Detumbler features a central rotor wheel and magnets that interact with Earth’s magnetic field. The device is intended to be attached to satellites reaching the end of their operational life. Functioning like a compass when the satellite is in its normal orbit, aligning with Earth’s magnetic field, Detumbler responds dynamically if the satellite begins to tumble. The rotor’s movement triggers eddy currents, creating loops of electrical current that induce friction and slow down the satellite’s motion. Developed by Airbus in 2021 with support from the French Space Agency CNES under the Tech4SpaceCare initiative, Detumbler addresses the unpredictable movements of dead satellites due to orbital flight dynamics. This erratic behaviour poses risks such as collisions with other spacecraft or uncontrolled reentries into Earth’s atmosphere. The introduction of Detumbler aims to facilitate the capture of defunct satellites during future missions dedicated to cleaning up space debris. By maintaining a more predictable path in Earth’s orbit, the device contributes to mitigating the hazards posed by space debris. Airbus plans to conduct detumbling demonstrations on the Exo-0 nanosatellite from EnduroSat in early 2024 to test the effectiveness of the new device. The growing challenge of space debris is underscored by the Department of Defense’s global Space Surveillance Network, which currently tracks over 27,000 pieces of orbital debris. This number is anticipated to rise as the global space industry expands, increasing the likelihood of collisions in Earth’s orbit. Recent incidents, including a space debris clean-up mission’s target being struck in August, emphasize the urgency of implementing effective mitigation methods to safeguard the space environment.