NANO Dragsail
Frond Space Systems
Low-mass passive deorbit sail for CubeSats, fitting within extended CubeSat volumes for late-stage integration.
About
The Frond NANO Dragsail is a compact, passive deorbit device purpose-built for nanosatellites operating in low Earth orbit. Weighing only 250 g and designed to fit entirely within extended CubeSat form factors, it can be integrated late in the spacecraft assembly process, minimising schedule risk for mission teams.
Once deployed, the 1 m² sail dramatically increases the satellite’s atmospheric drag cross-section, enabling effective deorbit for the vast majority of CubeSat mass and altitude combinations without relying on propulsion or active control. This makes it an ideal compliance tool for the international 25-year orbital debris mitigation guidelines.
The system is available with optional power-line activation, an internal watchdog timer, self-contained batteries, and an independent RF access port for maximum operational flexibility. Frond develops the sail in collaboration with RolaTube Technology Limited, a trusted supplier of rollable composite booms.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
