Experimental and mathematical modeling of the inflation process for an aerodynamic braking system based on a small spacecraft with a CubeSat form factor

Abstract

This paper investigates the promising application of an aerodynamic braking system based on a small spacecraft with a CubeSat‑type form factor to address the issue of anthropogenic debris in near‑Earth space. A mathematical model of the inflation process was developed for the aerodynamic braking system’s envelope, which is made of polyamide film. Based on the obtained data, experimental studies were conducted in a vacuum chamber to evaluate the system’s operability under conditions simulating the space vacuum. doi 10.54708/19926502_2026_30111139