Descrizione del progetto
Un dispositivo senza propellente per deorbitare i satelliti e mitigare il problema dei detriti spaziali
Le attuali tecnologie di propulsione nello spazio funzionano secondo la legge di azione-reazione. Di conseguenza, è il propellente a determinare la massa del carico utile del satellite e la durata della missione. Il progetto E.T.PACK finanziato dall’UE, prevede una nuova era in cui i satelliti potrebbero deorbitare senza l’uso di energia e carburante a bordo. Il progetto svilupperà un dispositivo privo di propellenti basato su un cavo a bassa funzione di lavoro che funziona secondo principi diversi. Invece di trasportare propellente, esso produce una forza di trascinamento sfruttando l’ambiente spaziale naturale, che include il campo geomagnetico, il plasma ambientale e la radiazione solare. Il dispositivo può prevenire la proliferazione di detriti spaziali, una delle sfide più importanti per il settore aerospaziale.
Obiettivo
The Low Work-function Tether (LWT) is a long conductive tape coated with a material that enhances thermionic and photoelectric electron emissions. It enables spacecraft to de-orbit and/or re-boost without the need for consumables. It interacts passively with its environment (ambient plasma, magnetic field and solar radiation) to exchange momentum with the planet’s magnetosphere. E.T.PACK aims at developing a proof of concept for LWTs by breaking through and combining the current frontier of knowledge in three fields: plasma physics, low work function material science and space tethers. These will be integrated into a deorbit kit and a flight simulator for mission analysis. The kit aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 4 and will have two modes of operation: as a fully passive LWT and as a conventional electrodynamic tether equipped with an active hollow-cathode (backup mode). A new coating process for the electride, C12A7 ([Ca24Al28O64]4+(4e-)), will be developed, and used to manufacture a LWT demonstrator. The C12A7 and its extraordinary properties will be also applied to the hollow cathode of the kit, which will include a novel deployment mechanism specifically designed for LWT applications. The complex current exchange of LWTs with the ambient plasma under space-charge-conditions will be studied theoretically, and used to develop accurate simulators. The theory-experiment comparisons will lead to a solid framework for LWT operation and constraints, including thermal, mechanical, optical, electrical, ATOX and UV resistance, and survivability. Hitherto impossible mission scenarios will be explored, thus opening up new horizons in space science and technology. These interdisciplinary activities, placed at the cutting edge of their fields and highly interdependent, make E.T.PACK a high-risk project. This is fully compensated by its potential impact: Europe being the first with access to a reversible in-space propulsion technology free of consumables.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraft
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesplasma physics
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiation
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanets
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
28903 Getafe (Madrid)
Spagna