removeDEBRIS was a satellite to test out different methods of removing space junk like parts of old satellites or used rocket stages. The experiments included a net and a harpoon to collect the debris. A dragsail on the cubical satellite itself was supposed to deorbit the it back into the Earth’s atmosphere to safely disintegrate, but the deployment eventually failed.

Space debris is a real and growing problem. Without any possibility to decompose in space there will just be more and more of it as time goes on.