MUMBAI, India, June 22 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202631069063 A) filed by C. V. Raman Global University on June 02, 2026, for Autonomous Micro-Scale On-Orbit Debris Detumbling And Deorbiting System.
Inventors include Debankur Pal; Aanchal Srivastav; Siba Kumar Pujari; and Smita Rani Parija.
The application for the patent was published on June 12, 2026, under issue no. 24/2026.
Abstract: The present invention relates to an autonomous micro-scale on-orbit debris detumbling and deorbiting system for mitigating hazardous orbital debris. The invention comprises a sensor subsystem, navigation and guidance subsystem, onboard control unit, attitude control subsystem, debris interface mechanism, deorbit module, power subsystem, and communication subsystem integrated within a compact platform. The sensor subsystem continuously measures the motion, orientation, and rotational characteristics of target debris using inertial and optical sensing technologies. The navigation and guidance subsystem determines relative position, attitude, and trajectory information required for autonomous operation. The onboard control unit processes sensor data and executes adaptive feedback control algorithms to reduce angular momentum and stabilize tumbling debris. The attitude control subsystem generates corrective torques through reaction wheels, magnetorquers, micro-thrusters, or equivalent actuators. Following stabilization, the debris interface mechanism establishes secure attachment with cooperative or non-cooperative debris objects. Upon verification of attachment, the deorbit module deploys drag-enhancement devices, electrodynamic tethers, propulsion mechanisms, or combinations thereof to reduce orbital energy and initiate controlled orbital decay. The integrated architecture enables autonomous execution of sensing, stabilization, attachment, and deorbiting functions without continuous ground intervention. The invention minimizes collision risks, reduces debris accumulation, improves orbital sustainability, and provides an energy-efficient and scalable solution for active space debris removal in Earth orbit
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
