DRUMS(Debris Removal Unprecedented Micro-Satellite) is an experimental spacecraft that will test proximity operation nearspace debris.Themicrosatellitecarries two 'mock space debris' which once deployed will be used as a target for demonstrating approach and contact.[1]
DRUMS was developed by Japanese companyKawasaki Heavy Industries(KHI), which will also operate the satellite following its launch.[2]DRUMS will be operated from a ground station inside KHI's Gifu Works facility, and an antenna for communicating with the satellite was finished in October 2019.[3]KHI characterizes DRUMS as a demonstration for future missions to remove launch vehicle upper stages from orbit,[4]along with potential applications foron-orbit satellite servicing.[5]DRUMS was launched on 9 November 2021 by anEpsilon launch vehicle.[6]A half size model of DRUMS was displayed at the2019 G20 Osaka summit.[7]
Once in orbit, DRUMS will deploy two nonfunctional objects, which will act as targets for DRUMS's space debris approach test. After distancing itself from the target, DRUMS will then begin to approach it using on board optical sensors.[8][9]The microsatellite has nitrogen gas propulsion for maneuvering, along with lighting it will use to illuminate the target while insideEarth's shadow.[2][5]Once it has arrived near the target, DRUMS will extend a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) boom, which will be used to physically contact the target.[8][5]DRUM's camera will record the overall sequence of the test.[10]
^Morita, Daichi; Watase, Hirotaka; Maruyama, Tatsuya; Shibasaki, Koichi; Yamamoto, Toru; Murakami, Naomi; Nakajima, Yu."Study on visual based navigation algorithm for active debris removal missions".JAXA Special Publication: Proceedings of the 8th Space Debris Workshop.The 8th Space Debris Workshop. JAXA. pp. 473–484.Retrieved14 September2021.
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas (, ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flightsare underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
