Summary
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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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058166 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2022 |
| End date: | 28-02-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 2 499 513,75 Euro - 2 499 513,00 Euro |
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Original description
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.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-EIC-2021-TRANSITIONOPEN-01Update Date
09-02-2023
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