Self Propelled Energetic Electron Dispensers (SPEEDs) for Deorbit Applications

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) is developing passive and active enhancements to heritage electrodynamic tether smallsat deorbit systems. Passive coatings based on flexible materials with negative electron affinity-enhanced triple-point electron emitters will enable deorbit propellantless deorbit from altitudes up to at least 1100 km by increasing the passively generated current through electrodynamic tethers. The active component of PSIs system, embodied by a robust, self-powered and self-regulated cold cathode electron gun, will further increase deorbit rate and altitude while also giving a host satellite control over deorbit parameters. This active deorbit system is entirely electric and requires no propellant, dramatically reducing their size, weight and power requirements versus traditional active deorbit systems and services. Both the active and passive deorbit components leverage past work PSI has performed for the US Space Force and for NASA. PSI is also partnering with Tethers Unlimited Inc. (TUI) to adapt the passive and active electrodynamic tether enhancement to their existing, heritage terminator tape (TT) deorbit systems. In Phase I, PSI demonstrated proof of concept for the new tether enhancement technologies. In Phase II, PSI will apply the new technologies to TUIs TT system, producing flight-ready prototypes available to NASA for deployment on demonstration missions following the Phase II program. The accumulation of uncontrolled orbital debris in low Earth orbit presents a profound hazard to commercial, government and scientific exploitation of space. While numerous economical methods for controlled deorbit of payloads and rocket components at their end-of-life are reaching maturity, most passive solutions rely on aerodynamic or solar drag, limiting their effective operation to relatively low altitudes below ~900 km. Active deorbit systems and services require steering and, often, thrusters, which are heavy, expensive and require consumable propellant. To address these problems, Physical Sciences Inc. proposes active and passive, all electric, propellantless enhancements to commercially available electrodynamic tether deorbit systems. These enhancements, geared towards Tethers Unlimited Inc.’s Terminator Tape system, employ robust, fail-safe and self-powered cold cathode electron guns for active deorbit control while enhancing passive deorbit rate and altitude through use of passive electroemissive tether coatings. The main objectives of the program are to 1) develop a new approach to applying passive electroemissive coatings to electrodynamic tether materials, 2) demonstrate passive electron emission from the new coatings under exposure to a diffuse hydrogen plasma, and 3) demonstrate solar power and self-regulation of a cold-cathode electron gun with minimal size and weight. At the end of the contract, Physical Sciences Inc. will deliver a final report including conceptual designs for enhanced and active electrodynamic tether systems based on existing tether-based deorbit systems with flight heritage.

The innovation is applicable to smallsats, and possibly larger objects such as spent rocket stages having terminal altitudes up to at least 1100-1200 km. The application is controlled, rapid, propellantless deorbit of payloads in order to minimize further pollution of low Earth orbit (LEO) and mitigate the risk of spacecraft collisions. Further development may allow propellantless station keeping in LEO, as well as propellantless maneuver of spacecraft around other planets with natural magnetic fields such as Jupiter and Saturn. The innovation is applicable to all smallsats, and possibly larger payloads such as spent rocket stages. The application is controlled, rapid, propellantless deorbit of payloads, minimizing further pollution of LEO and mitigating risk of spacecraft collisions. This innovation will also enable cost-effective compliance with regulations designed to mitigate space pollution.

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