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A Ready-to-Fly Deorbit Device Based on Electrodynamic Tether Technology

Objective

Electrodynamic tethers are long conductors in orbit that enable spacecraft to de-orbit and/or re-boost without using propellant. After designing, manufacturing and testing a prototype of a Deorbit Device (DD) in the FET E.T.PACK project and reach TRL 4, E.T.PACK-F faces the next natural step: prepare a ready-to-fly DD based on electrodynamic tether technology to perform, immediately after the project, an in-orbit-demonstration (IOD). The two large companies of the team (SENER Aeroespacial and RFA), playing the roles of DD product developer and end-user, signed a Launch Service Agreement for this first flight. The DD involves several tether-related products that have, by their own, a high innovative and commercialization potential and are mainly owned/generated by the three universities of the team (UC3M, UNIPD, TUD). These products are a software for tether mission analysis, a heater-less electron emitter for electric propulsion applications, a cold gas system, miniaturized avionics, and onboard software for the attitude determination and control of small spacecraft, and a deployment mechanism and damper for tether applications. In parallel with technology development activities, a business model for E.T.PACK-F technologies and consortium structures for their later commercialization (a Joint Venture, startup, and /or technology licensing) will be created. Contact with potential clients, investors, and policy-makers, will be established to validate the business model and prepare the products for the future needs of the market. This entrepreneurial ecosystem, made of interlinked space products, strong industry-academia collaboration, and an end user, is driven by the IOD, which can place all the products in a precommercial state. Tethers can help Europe to create/strengthen new markets on space debris deorbiting and in-orbit servicing, disrupt the existing markets on spacecraft re-boost and station keeping, and open new opportunities for planetary explorations.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2021-TRANSITIONOPEN-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 619 600,00
Address
CALLE MADRID 126
28903 Getafe (Madrid)
Spain

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 636 848,00

Participants (5)

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