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Bio-inspired Solutions for Space Debris Removal

Programme Reference

19-D-T-TEC-02

Status

Closed

Country

Germany

Start Date

2020

End Date

2022

Programme: Discovery Prime Contractor: Fraunhofer CML

Description

The BIOINSPACED project was initiated to find bio-inspired solutions for space debris removal because the identification, orbital alignment, capture and removal of uncooperative bodies in space is incredibly complex and no fully functioning method is available to date. Biology and its evolved mechanisms often provide specialized concepts that show great transferability to technical systems. They benefit from millennia of evolution and thus present a great diversity of features available that are often deemed essential for space systems as well, such as response-stimuli adaptability, robustness and lightweight construction, autonomy and intelligence, energy efficiency, and self-repair or healing capabilities.

Application domain: Space Safety

Technology Domain:
11 - Space Debris
Competence Domain:
02 - Structures / Mechanisms / Materials / Thermal
10 - Astrodynamics / Space Debris / Space Environment
Initial TRL: TRL N/A Target TRL: TRL N/A Achieved TRL: TRL N/A

Public Document:

Executive Summary
PDF
Final Presentation
PDF

Bio-inspired Solutions for Space Debris Removal