DRUMS (Debris Removal Unprecedented Micro-Satellite) is an experimental spacecraft that will test proximity operation near space debris. The microsatellite carries two 'mock space debris' which once deployed will be used as a target for demonstrating approach and contact.[1]
DRUMS was developed by Japanese company Kawasaki 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 for on-orbit satellite servicing.[5] DRUMS was launched on 9 November 2021 by an Epsilon launch vehicle.[6] A half size model of DRUMS was displayed at the 2019 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 inside Earth'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]
^イプシロンロケット5号機による革新的衛星技術実証2号機の打上げ結果について [Innovative satellite technology demonstration by Epsilon rocket No. 5 About the launch result of No. 2] (in Japanese). JAXA. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
^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. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
