Solid Rocket Propellants for Sustainable Cubesat Deorbiting System

Abstract CubeSats are pivotal in applications like remote sensing, weather monitoring, and scientific research due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This has led to a significant increase in CubeSat launches, contributing to the growing population in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). However, the accumulation of non-operational satellites raises concerns about space debris, threatening operational systems. Current deorbiting mechanisms face challenges such as high costs and limited versatility. This paper proposes a universal, attachable deorbiting module for CubeSats, utilizing solid propellants. The module is externally affixed to a 10 x 10 cm side of the CubeSat, with the propellant ignited via an igniter to facilitate deorbiting. Solid propellants are preferred for their low cost, compactness, ease of handling, and transportation. This research uses NASA’s Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) program to analyze the properties and performance of various solid propellants suitable for CubeSat deorbiting. The findings aim to develop a cost-effective and adaptable solution for the growing space debris problem in LEO, offering a sustainable approach to CubeSat end-of-life management.