ESA Technology Transfer Success Story - From space debris to rogue drones: how a net-firing gun could help counter both problems • Aug 2022
Italian Engineering firm STAM is developing a net-firing gun,
called the Drone Catcher, based on ESA-funded research to remove space debris,
to tackle the growing problem of disruption caused by illegally-flown drones at
public events.
By 2026, it is forecasted that the global commercial drone
market will be worth $58.4 billion, growing an estimated 16% a year. Hobbyists
can easily purchase a simple drone weighing a few hundred grams for under €100,
without a license and with little or no paperwork, depending on the country. Drones
also have the potential to disrupt large events, such as football games or
concerts, spoiling the enjoyment of millions of fans, and have interrupted a
number of high-profile sporting events in recent years.
Under ESA contract from 2013-2016 Italian engineering firm, STAM,
developed a parametric simulator for active debris removal using nets, ARDiNET
(Net parametric characterisation and parabolic test), in partnership with
Polish firms, SKA and OptiNav. This space debris technology is now being
adapted to capture rogue drones on Earth. Under ESA contract, STAM have
leveraged their expertise developed on the ADRiNET and ADR1EN projects to
develop a net-firing gun called Drone Catcher. In the event that a drone enters the stadium, one of
several Drone Catchers mounted to the stadium itself fires a net at high speed
at the drone. The drone quickly becomes entangled in the net, aided by the
motion of its blades, then is rapidly retrieved using a powerful motor, before
it ever hits the ground.
Unlike some other potential solutions, the Drone Catcher can
be safety used above crowded areas, such as stadiums. The drone is swiftly
retrieved in one piece, never falling below a 3m height. This is a key
advantage of STAM’s solution and is derived from two important design features.
Firstly, the solution is non-destructive, i.e., does not destroy the drone it
captures. non-destructive solution confers other benefits besides increased
safety. Keeping the captured drone intact allows for forensic analysis and
means the drone itself can be used as evidence of a crime. Secondly, the Drone
Catcher uses a powerful motor to quickly reel in the net and drone after its
capture. The net is reeled in fast enough that even at a distance of 30m from
the gun, the drone should never get within 3m of the ground, leaving a safe
distance between peoples’ heads and the captured drone.
STAM have designed their system to take down drones weighing
up to 8kg, although further testing will be required to reach this weight in
practice.
The full case study report can be accessed in the restricted
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The infographics can be accessed in the restricted area here (please log in before).
This initiative is led by ESA's Technology Transfer and Patent Management Unit (TTPO) in ESA's Directorate for Commercialisation, Industry & Procurement. The Unit is guiding start-ups, entrepreneurs and European businesses in developing spin-offs for ESA's space technologies. More recent successful transfers can be accessed at: Technology Transfer - Funded Projects. For more information, please contact patent@esa.int.
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