NANO Dragsail
Frond Space Systems
The NANO Dragsail is a low-mass deorbiting system for nanosatellites in LEO, featuring a 1m² deployed area and a tuna-can form factor for late-stage integration.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.25 kg
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Form factor
- Tuna-Can
- Mass
- 250 g
- Deployed area
- 1m²
- Optimised for
- Cubesats
- Environmental qualification
- GEVS levels (14.1Grms)
- Operational temperature range
- -30°C to +60°C
- Supply voltage
- 3.3 V-8.4 V
- Interface
- 5-way Molex Picoblade
- Data interface
- I2C, CAN
- Mechanical interface
- 4x M3 Countersunk
About
The NANO Dragsail is an effective deorbiting solution for nanosatellites operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It features a compact tuna-can form factor and is designed for low impact and late-stage integration into CubeSats. The system boasts a low mass of 250g, fitting entirely within extended CubeSat volumes. Upon deployment, it provides a 1m² sail area, optimized for CubeSats to ensure effective deorbiting for the majority of these small satellites in LEO without adding unnecessary materials. The NANO Dragsail is environmentally qualified to GEVS levels (14.1Grms) and operates within a temperature range of -30°C to +60°C, requiring minimal spacecraft interfaces. It offers a robust alternative to propulsion systems for deorbiting, as it is less susceptible to spacecraft anomalies like power or attitude control failures, and comes at a significantly lower cost. The design assumes random tumbling conditions of the spacecraft to ensure compliance in worst-case scenarios, with any aero-stabilization or attitude control during operation being an added benefit. This product addresses the increasing need for responsible satellite disposal and compliance with regulations such as the US FCC policy requiring deorbiting within 5 years of end of mission.
Documentation
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