OrbitSweeper is a working name for the effort to create a detailed design of the first general purpose Orbital Debris Object Management System.

It is based on a the "CODMS" US Patent granted in 2025 (Click for PDF)

OrbitSweeper is a simple concept

A cubesat with two opposing thrusters with one thruster close to and pointed at the Orbital Debris Object (ODO) the can impart significant momentum, essentially creating an artificial wind that slows the object.  No capture of the ODO is needed, so mass of capture components (such as arms, nets or harpoons) is not needed.  It also does not need to "detumble" the ODO (that is often found tumbling), so OrbitSweeper is more general purpose.

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Notional OrbitSweeper Cubesat Using EPIC 6U - CubeSat Platform

FAQ:


Why two opposing thrusters? 

You need to keep the OSC close to the ODO for days or weeks while momentum is applied.  Without the thruster that is not pointing at the ODO, the cubesat would move away from the ODO when thrust is applied. 

Mobirise

An old diagram from a concept using plasma, OrbitSweeper uses other "fuels"

Why has this not been proposed, developed or patented before?

OrbitSweeper requires ~50% more fuel than other concepts that use various forms of capture.  Previously this would have added $Ms to a mission, but with low cost SpaceX Rideshares to orbit, cubesats can now carry significant fuel with no cost penalty.  If water is used for fuel, then additional fuel is very inexpensive.  We were also surprised that this had not been proposed before, but after some research it was felt it was truly unique.  Being granted a US Patent proved it.

You wrote "Orbital Debris Management" vs Removal, what is up with that?

Removal is one of a number of services that can the applied to an ODO.  But is the broader goal is to remove as much ODO risk to a given altitude and inclination band. So the system can also rotate ODOs to both face in the max drag, and reduce their cross-sectional area to other passing object.  If applied to a number of ODOs, there might be greater overall risk reduction than simply removing one ODO.  The following diagrams (from the patent) shows the mission flow and possible services that can be combined.

Mobirise

Various OrbitSweeper Services

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