Project description
Turning space junk into rocket fuel
Earth’s orbit is cluttered with defunct satellites and debris, but what if this space junk could be transformed into a resource? The EIC-funded DEXTER project is exploring technologies for in-space recycling and reusable propulsion, which are key to building a circular space economy. Specifically, it addresses two issues. The first is the lack of robotic tools to dismantle and repurpose old spacecraft. The second is the absence of sustainable propulsion for long-term debris removal. In lab-based demonstrations, the team will test robotic harvesting tools, laser cutting in a vacuum, and the conversion of scrap aluminium into fuel for a prototype thruster. DEXTER aims to shift space debris from dangerous clutter to valuable infrastructure.
Objective
In-Space Recycling and Reuse of Orbital Assets (ISRROA) is the most financially and ecologically sustainable solution to the problem of orbital debris. The DEXTER (Debris EXtraction Tools for Extraterrestrial Recycling) project solves two key obstacles – lack of adequate tooling for harvesting end of life spacecraft and processing debris, and lack of a propulsion system capable of both high thrust and propellant economy needed for long term Active Debris Removal (ADR).
DEXTER will provide solutions for two viable use cases for recovering orbital material: turning recycled materials into structural elements and propellant. We will (1) develop and validate in a laboratory environment robotic technology that allows for the harvesting, processing, and repurposing of orbital debris materials into new structural elements to build new infrastructures in space, and (2) explore processes for converting scrap aluminium to propellant and delivering via a prototype refuelling mechanism, and provide a ground-based demonstration of a prototype refuellable thruster suitable for operating future ADR missions without resupply from earth.
Key DEXTER breakthroughs include (1) demonstrating the viability of laser cutting and welding in a vacuum, (2) developing a modular toolkit with novel capabilities including a multipurpose rotary tool, a non-destructive gripping mechanism and computer vision for semiautonomous operation (3) and demonstrating the viability of using orbital debris as propellant.
Laboratory demonstrations will validate the developed technologies against two potential ISRROA use cases – spacecraft disassembly and reassembly in a different structural form and as propellant for a high-powered plasma thruster. We will demonstrate the viability of spacecraft harvesting and refuelling ADR missions with recycled orbital material. A circular economy for space will reduce the threat posed by space debris by transforming it from a liability into a valuable asset.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering astronautical engineering spacecraft
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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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.
MK43 0AL Cranfield - Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
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.