The space debris problem becomes more and more actual with every passing day. Summary weight of space debris at LEO is about 2500 tons, and much of it is LVs upper stages.  Collisions of spacecraft with space debris objects will becoming progressively real threat for space missions.

Getting capability to deorbit a few types of LVs upper stages is a relevant objective for global space community.

In 2014, Yuzhnoye SDO began works on realization of ambitious research EU Project in frame of FP7 named LEOSWEEP. The goal of the Project is to demonstrate the technological feasibility of a first active removal mission of a Ukrainian rocket upper stage, using ion beam technology, which provides an efficient and low-risk contactless manipulation of the debris to be deorbited.

In frame of LEOSWEEP Project Yuzhnoye SDO activities are focused on demonstration mission preparation of upper stage removal with ion beam from nearby orbiting shepherd spacecraft and upper stage probe manufacturing and testing on ion beam impact.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement №607457.

Detailed information is available here: www.leosweep.upm.es

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