Guildford-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has released an image showing the successful deployment of the de-orbit Icarus-1 drag sail on board TechDemoSat-1.

The deployed sail is designed to significantly increase the spacecraft’s rate of orbital decay, in compliance with current Space Debris Mitigation best practice and guidelines.

The deployment of the drag sail, supplied by Cranfield University, marks the end of mission for SSTL’s TechDemoSat-1 small satellite, launched into a 635-km low Earth orbit in 2014.

Sarah Parker, managing director of SSTL, said “This in-orbit image of a deployed drag sail on one of our satellites is a first for us and is a fitting culmination of mission operations for this highly innovative small satellite.”

TechDemoSat-1, a 150-kg in-orbit technology demonstration small satellite mission, validated eight innovative UK spacecraft instruments and software payloads and also acquired ocean wind speed datasets.

Stephen Hobbs, head of Cranfield University’s space group, said: “With the Icarus sails now deployed on both TechDemoSat-1 and Carbonite-1, SSTL and Cranfield have demonstrated clear leadership in this technology.  We hope to see many more satellites following TechDemoSat-1’s example to keep space clear of debris.  It’s been great to work with SSTL on this mission.”

SSTL is at the forefront of space debris mitigation and removal activities and is the satellite platform manufacturer and spacecraft operator for the RemoveDEBRIS mission, and the supplier of the Target satellite for ASTROSCALE’s ELSA-d end-of-life spacecraft retrieval and disposal technology demonstration mission.

TechDemoSat-1 was part-funded by Innovate UK and was jointly operated by SSTL in Guildford and by the Satellite Applications Catapult in Harwell.