Laelaps
As a proving ground for our calculations, the MK1 Laelaps spacecraft will establish communication with ground stations and measure thrust variations on the way to a target orbit. Once the MK1 spacecraft demonstrates it can reach the target orbit, it will rendezvous with a planned piece of nearby orbital debris. The selected piece will have no known anomalous properties but is likely to be spinning in some axis or combination of axes. In this case, KMI will utilize TumblEye to characterize the object, allowing Laelaps to match the rotation of the debris, and retrieve the debris with REACCH. Our mission with MK1 is to collect two or more pieces, dependent on the debris location and maneuvering efficiency. Future designs will improve on the lessons learned and data developed from the demonstration flight of the first Laelaps craft.