E.T.PACK · Project

Fuel-Free Deorbit Kit That Removes Dead Satellites Using Only Earth's Magnetic Field

transportPrototypeTRL 4

Imagine every dead satellite in orbit is like an abandoned car on a highway — eventually someone's going to crash into it. Today, removing those wrecks requires burning fuel, which means hauling extra weight into space at enormous cost. E.T.PACK built a clever alternative: a long conductive ribbon that, once deployed, uses Earth's own magnetic field and sunlight to drag a satellite down — no fuel, no engines, no moving parts. Think of it like a sail that catches invisible magnetic wind instead of ocean breeze.

By the numbers

consortium partners across 3 countries

TRL 4

target technology readiness level

100g

C12A7 electride powder batch size

50cm

coated metal foil length achieved

43%

industry ratio in consortium

total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Space debris is one of the fastest-growing threats to the multi-billion dollar satellite industry. Every satellite launched today must eventually be removed from orbit, but current deorbiting methods require carrying extra fuel — adding mass, complexity, and cost to every mission. Operators need a lightweight, reliable, zero-consumable deorbit solution that works even if the satellite itself fails.

The solution

What was built

The team built a Low Work-function Tether demonstrator — a conductive tape coated with C12A7 electride material (100g powder batches, 50cm coated foils) — packaged into a deorbit kit with a dedicated deployment mechanism and hollow-cathode backup system. They also developed a flight simulator for mission analysis and performed theoretical modeling of plasma interaction under space conditions.

Audience

Who needs this

Satellite constellation operators (OneWeb, Telesat, Amazon Kuiper-type companies) needing mass-efficient deorbit solutionsSpace debris removal service providers looking for passive deorbiting technologySatellite manufacturers seeking compliant end-of-life disposal systemsSpace agencies and defense organizations with orbital asset management requirementsLaunch service providers offering turnkey satellite disposal packages

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Satellite manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Companies building commercial satellite constellations

If you are a satellite manufacturer dealing with end-of-life compliance costs — this project developed a deorbit kit targeting TRL 4 that removes satellites from orbit without any fuel or consumables. Instead of reserving mass and budget for deorbiting thrusters, you could integrate a passive tether system that works automatically once deployed. The consortium of 7 partners across 3 countries built both the coating technology and a flight simulator for mission analysis.

Space debris removal services

SME

Target: Active debris removal startups and service providers

If you are a debris removal company looking for cost-effective deorbiting technology — this project created a Low Work-function Tether demonstrator using C12A7 electride coating produced in 100g batches. The fully passive operating mode eliminates the need for onboard power or propellant, drastically cutting per-mission costs. The backup mode with an active hollow-cathode provides operational flexibility for different orbital scenarios.

Space launch and operations

enterprise

Target: Launch service providers and satellite fleet operators

If you are a launch operator facing tightening space sustainability regulations — this project developed a consumable-free deorbit kit with two operating modes: fully passive and active backup. With 3 industry partners including 1 SME contributing to the 7-partner consortium, the technology was designed for real integration challenges. The accompanying flight simulator lets you model deorbit trajectories for specific missions before committing hardware.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would a deorbit kit like this cost compared to conventional thruster-based deorbiting?

The project data does not include specific pricing. However, the core value proposition is eliminating consumables entirely — no fuel, no pressurized tanks, no complex plumbing. This means lower mass, lower launch costs, and zero recurring propellant expenses. Exact cost comparisons would depend on orbit altitude and satellite mass.

Can this technology scale to handle large satellite constellations?

The LWT demonstrator used C12A7 electride powders produced in 100g batches with coating qualified for 50cm metal foils. Scaling to full-length tethers and mass production would require industrial coating processes, which the project studied through feasibility analysis of continuous furnace technologies. The 3 industry partners in the consortium bring manufacturing expertise.

What is the intellectual property situation — can we license this?

The project was funded under RIA (Research and Innovation Action) through FET Open, coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. IP generated under Horizon 2020 RIA projects typically belongs to the consortium partners who created it. Licensing discussions would need to go through the coordinator and relevant industrial partners in Spain, Germany, and Italy.

How close is this to being flight-ready?

The project targeted Technology Readiness Level 4 — meaning laboratory validation of the concept. They built a LWT demonstrator with functional coatings and a flight simulator for mission analysis. Moving from TRL 4 to flight-qualified hardware (TRL 7-8) would require additional engineering, space environment testing, and qualification campaigns.

Does this comply with current space debris mitigation regulations?

The technology directly addresses the growing regulatory push for responsible satellite disposal, including the 25-year deorbit rule. Its fully passive operation mode means it works even if the host satellite fails — a critical advantage for compliance. Based on available project data, the flight simulator can model deorbit timelines for specific regulatory scenarios.

How would this integrate with existing satellite platforms?

E.T.PACK was designed as a self-contained deorbit kit with its own deployment mechanism specifically designed for LWT applications. The two-mode operation (passive LWT plus active hollow-cathode backup) provides integration flexibility. The kit architecture suggests it could be added as a modular subsystem, though specific interface requirements would depend on the host satellite.

Consortium

Who built it

The E.T.PACK consortium brings together 7 partners from 3 countries (Germany, Spain, Italy) with a healthy 43% industry ratio — meaning nearly half the team comes from companies, not just universities. The mix of 3 industry partners, 3 universities, and 1 research organization covers the full chain from fundamental science to manufacturing capability. The presence of 1 SME signals some entrepreneurial interest in commercialization. Coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a leading Spanish technical university, the project benefits from strong academic depth in plasma physics and materials science while the German and Italian industrial partners contribute engineering and manufacturing know-how.

UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRIDCoordinator · ES
SENER AEROESPACIAL SOCIEDAD ANONIMAparticipant · ES
ADVANCED THERMAL DEVICES S.L.participant · ES
SENER INGENIERIA Y SISTEMAS SAparticipant · ES
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVAparticipant · IT
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDENparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain — reach out to their aerospace or space systems research group

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the E.T.PACK team to discuss licensing, partnership, or integration of their deorbit technology into your satellite platform? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right people in the consortium.

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