24/7 Space News
TECH SPACE
Technologies developed to clean up orbit and enhance satellite longevity
illustration only
Technologies developed to clean up orbit and enhance satellite longevity
by Hugo Ritmico
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Apr 10, 2025

A Spanish start-up with roots in Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is developing advanced space tether systems aimed at tackling orbital debris and supporting satellite servicing. The company, PERSEI Space, co-founded by two UC3M researchers, is pioneering electrodynamic tether technology designed to both remove defunct satellites and enable in-orbit support services such as refueling and orbital repositioning.

Currently hosted by the ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid incubator, PERSEI Space also receives support from the UC3M's C3N-IA Center for Innovation and operates within the Leganes Tecnologico Science Park. Its work is bolstered by funding from the European Innovation Council through projects E.T.PACK-F and E.T.COMPACT.

"Our company was created to address two of the biggest challenges facing the space sector today: space debris removal and in-orbit services. The latter allow us to extend the useful life of satellites and carry out key activities such as refueling, repair and towing of satellites from their initial orbit to their final destination," explains Jesus Manuel Munoz Tejeda, CEO and co-founder of PERSEI Space.

Orbital debris poses a growing hazard to space operations, with fast-moving fragments capable of catastrophic damage and triggering chain-reaction collisions, a phenomenon known as Kessler syndrome. The existing density of debris has already crossed danger thresholds.

To counter this, PERSEI Space is engineering a tether-based solution with three standout attributes: it operates without fuel, can adjust satellite orbits in both directions, and is scalable to suit various satellite masses. Munoz Tejeda adds, "With all this, we can develop autonomous de-orbiting systems, a unique feature of our technology that ensures that the satellite does not leave space debris, even if it ceases to be operational."

The core of their system lies in electrodynamic tethers-lightweight aluminum ribbons that span hundreds of meters. These interact with the Earth's magnetic field and ionospheric plasma to produce the Lorentz force, which creates drag.

"The interaction of the electric current in the tether with the Earth's magnetic field generates a drag force capable of lowering the satellite's altitude, facilitating its de-orbiting without requiring fuel, which translates into significant savings in mass and volume," says Gonzalo Sanchez Arriaga, UC3M aerospace engineering professor and PERSEI Space co-founder.

The company is preparing for a debut demonstration mission scheduled for 2026. This will utilize ESA's Flight Tickets Initiative and European Commission support. The mission payload, weighing 20 kilograms, includes a 430-meter-long tether designed to deploy in orbit and autonomously initiate the deorbiting process over a period of months. Development is funded with 2.5 million euros from the European Innovation Council and involves collaboration with SENER Aerospace, the University of Padua, and the Technical University of Dresden.

This initiative aligns with new European and U.S. regulations that have shortened the allowed post-mission satellite lifespan from 25 years to just five, significantly increasing demand for fast-acting end-of-life disposal technologies.

Related Links
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Airbus adopts Astroscale Gen 2 docking plates for enhanced satellite sustainability
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 26, 2025
Astroscale Limited ("Astroscale UK"), the UK arm of Astroscale Holdings Inc., has reached a significant milestone as Airbus Defence and Space becomes the first major commercial buyer of its second-generation docking plates. This landmark order reflects growing industry momentum toward more sustainable space operations. As orbital debris poses increasing threats to both satellites and the space environment, Astroscale is offering a proactive solution with docking plates engineered for satellite ser ... read more

TECH SPACE
NASA Uses Moonlight to Refine Satellite Earth Monitoring

Vast to Collaborate with CASIS on ISS Research Access

Trump's NASA chief pick says will 'prioritize' Mars mission

Existing laws offer pathway to prevent warfare in space

TECH SPACE
SpaceX doubleheader: Spy satellites launched in California, then Starlink ones in Florida

Amazon satellite launch scrubbed due to weather

Heat Shields Emerging as Crucial Enabler of Reusable Spacecraft

SpaceX launches next round of Internet satellites from California

TECH SPACE
Just Keep Driving - Sols 4507-4508

NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover Studies Trove of Rocks on Crater Rim

A step closer to Martian habitability as lichens endure simulated surface conditions

How to engineer microbes to enable us to live on Mars

TECH SPACE
Microbial profile mapped aboard China space station

China highlights major strides in moon research and exploration

Space station advances muscle and semiconductor science

China logs 15th orbital mission with launch of Tianlian II-04

TECH SPACE
Musk announces Starlink license for Somalia

Space Collision Threat Fuels Urgency in Orbital Safety Market

Eutelsat expands airborne internet with operational LEO service for aircraft

Amazon prepares to launch first full batch of Project Kuiper satellites

TECH SPACE
Sierra Space teams with Honda and Tec-Masters for ISS clean energy test

How to Choose Online Slots Based on RTP Percentages

Bonk: The basics and future use cases for the popular meme coin

SOL, XRP, and ADA to join the heart of the US crypto reserve

TECH SPACE
How alien energy patterns may reveal extraterrestrial life

Scientists uncover dominant new microbe group deep in Earth's soil

Saturn's moon Titan could harbor life, but only a tiny amount, study finds

NASA uncovers complex teamwork in magnetic bacteria

TECH SPACE
20 years of Hubble data reveals evolving weather patterns on Uranus

NASA's Hubble Telescope May Have Uncovered a Triple System in the Kuiper Belt

NASA's Europa Clipper Leverages Mars for Critical Gravity Assist

Oort cloud resembles a galaxy, new study finds

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.