Feasibility and Design Analysis of the MAGNETO CubeSat for Radiation Effects Research and Active Debris Removal

The Micro Analysis of Geomagnetic Near-Earth Environment and Technology for Orbital decay (MAGNETO) CubeSat mission is a conceptual 3U spacecraft designed to advance three critical frontiers in CubeSat applications: (1) in-orbit measurement of geomagnetic activity and radiation effects on electronics, (2) demonstration of an active debris removal technology using a self-deployed target, and (3) validation of an additively manufactured PEEK polymer frame as a lightweight, resource-efficient structural alternative. Operating in a 500 km Sun-synchronous polar orbit with a baseline mission duration of six months, MAGNETO integrates a phased operational approach. Following deployment and detumbling, the spacecraft transitions through defined modes, including Standard Operations for power and telemetry management, Science Operations for radiation and geomagnetic monitoring, Proximity Mode for technology demonstration, and End-of-Life Mode to ensure post-mission disposal. Each mode is structured around autonomous transitions and ground-commanded triggers, ensuring both resilience and adaptability across mission phases. Preliminary feasibility analyses include CAD-based design of the additively manufactured frame and subsystem modeling and simulations. Success criteria are defined incrementally from full success to its partial counterparts (e.g. target deployment without capture) which are still considered mission value, consistent with technology pathfinder missions such as RemoveDEBRIS. MAGNETO’s expected contributions to the space industry include new insights into CubeSat subsystem responses to radiation, validation of the in-orbit performance of additively manufactured structures, and a scalable foundation for future CubeSat missions. In short, MAGNETO seeks to address pressing challenges in the space environment by integrating science, technology demonstration, and sustainability into an affordable, versatile, small-scale platform.