On-orbit Demonstration Plan and Development Status of Electrodynamic Tether Technology on H-II Transfer Vehicle

Space debris has been steadily increasing. Cascading effect caused by the collision between the objects would worsen the situation further. To ensure the safety of future space activities, aggressive measures to reduce debris is needed. Since density of debris in the region of 800 km to 1500 km altitude is particularly high, the occurrence of cascade event can be a major obstacle for activities in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). To avoid this situation, JAXA is investigating a service system to capture a defunct satellite or rocket bodies, and remove them from this "crowded" orbit to waste orbit. JAXA is developing Electro Dynamic Tether (EDT) experiment system for on-orbit demonstration as a propulsion system. This paper presents system design, development status, demonstration plan, safety consideration to the ISS and reentry of EDT experiment system.