Orbital Maneuver Evaluation of Micro-satellite ALE-1 with a Separable Drag Sail

ALE-1 is a microsatellite that needs to change its initial launch orbital altitude before its main mission can start. A passive de-orbiter system is used for this maneuver. This paper summarizes the history of this orbital maneuver sub-mission and the results of ALE-1’s de-orbiting over the months since its launch. Furthermore, these results are compared to a simulation and the end date of this orbital maneuver is estimated.