A dragsail is a thin-film membrane, deployed by a set of lightweight booms. Once deployed, the dragsail provides a large surface area and accelerates the deorbit of the host vehicle through aerodynamic drag.
Sail deployment can be initiated via command from the host vehicle, or autonomously based upon a stored deployment time, providing deorbit capability even if the host vehicle is inoperative. Spinnaker dragsails offer straightforward integration with the host vehicle, with a simple bolt-on mechanical interface and a single electrical connection. All Spinnaker dragsails employ radiation-hardened electronics and life-tested batteries to ensure reliable deployment after 5 years on-orbit. Sail material is designed to withstand the orbital environment throughout the deorbit phase, including the effects of atomic oxygen.
Spinnaker3 has 3m booms and a 18.8 m^2 frontal surface area. Spinnaker3 is sized to deorbit satellites, orbital transfer vehicles, and launch vehicle stages up to 1,000 kg.
