Millennium Space Systems demonstrates deployable tape technology
Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing company, successfully demonstrated deployable tether technology to expedite satellite deorbiting, addressing potential congestion in low Earth orbit. The Dragracer program revealed that satellites using the 70m Terminator Tape can deorbit in just eight months versus a minimum of seven years for those without it. This lightweight solution increases drag to hasten reentry, thus mitigating space debris. Developed in nine months and launched in November 2020, the program involved collaborations with Tethers Unlimited, TriSept, and Rocket Lab.
- Successful demonstration of the Terminator Tape technology advancing satellite deorbiting.
- Significantly reduces deorbit time from seven years to eight months.
- Lightweight design ensures no impact on satellite operations.
- None.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing (NYSE: BA) company, successfully demonstrated the ability of deployable tether technology to significantly reduce the time a satellite remains on orbit after service life completion.
"Thousands of satellites will launch over the next decade, creating serious congestion in low Earth orbit," said Patrick Kelly, Ph.D., Dragracer program manager at Millennium Space Systems. "What we've proven is a way to safely and deliberately deorbit retired satellites."
Dragracer is the first direct comparison of a drag tape on two identical satellites. The satellite outfitted with a 70m Terminator Tape® developed by Tethers Unlimited, burned upon reentry to Earth's atmosphere after eight months. The satellite without tape will naturally deorbit unaided on its journey back to Earth after at least seven years.
"If a satellite has a two-year operational life, you're looking at a big piece of space debris sticking around for potentially decades," said Kelly. "With drag tape, we significantly reduce the time it remains space debris, and it's one less piece of debris to track."
The Terminator Tape® creates additional surface area that interacts with the Earth's atmosphere to create drag, which draws satellites back to Earth faster. The tape is deployed with a simple mechanism when a satellite is ready to de-orbit. And, because the tape is so lightweight, it has no effect on the satellite's primary mission.
"Dragracer is the first complete demonstration of safe and rapid deorbit of a satellite by the Terminator Tape Deorbit Module," said Robert Hoyt, president of Tethers Unlimited. "The Terminator Tape is an affordable, lightweight, patented, and now flight-proven solution for responsible end-of-mission disposal of satellites to help ensure the long-term sustainability of space operations."
Millennium Space designed and developed Dragracer in just nine months – and Dragracer then launched from Auckland, New Zealand, November 19, 2020. The program was a collaborative effort with Tethers Unlimited, mission launch service provider TriSept and launch vehicle provider Rocket Lab.
Media Contact:
Dana Carroll, vice president, Marketing
Millennium Space Systems
dana.carroll@millennium-space.com
About Millennium Space Systems
Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, delivers high-performing prototype and constellation solutions across advanced national security and environmental observation missions. Founded in 2001, the company's small satellite missions support government, civil and commercial space customers' needs across orbits.
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SOURCE Millennium Space Systems
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