Design, Modeling, and Ground Test of a Tethered CubeSat with a Rotational Net

Tethered CubeSats are one of the main techniques used in active space debris removal. In this work, a tethered CubeSat was designed for space debris removal using a rotational deployment of the net structure. Firstly, the system composition and prototype of the CubeSat were designed. Secondly, the structure and workflow design of the payload are introduced. Thirdly, the dynamic model for the rotational deployment of the flexible network and the corresponding finite element calculation model were established. Finally, a ground experimental verification of the rotational deployment process of a flexible net was performed. The results demonstrate that the satellite payload designed in this study undergoes stable net structure deployment in ground environments. The maximum deployment area can reach 85.2% of the total area of the net structure. The design of the payload in this paper can serve as a reference for tethered CubeSat design in space debris removal missions.