Thermite reactions assisting satellite demise

Introduction

This project develops a new method to manage the decommissioning of satellites through the use of on-board heat generation systems based on non-explosive thermite charges, called thermite-for-demise (T4D).

Background

Thermites are mixtures of metal and metal oxide which can undergo spontaneous exothermic reactions even in vacuum, according to composition and production. Pioneering projects have demonstrated that T4D may be used to damage space components and support their demise during atmospheric reentry.

Challenges

However, its real-world application needs the filling of knowledge gaps and practical problems:

1. The powdered form is not the best way to obtain localized reliable heat release.
2. The expected life cycle in a space mission has never been considered.
3. A strategy for T4D use is not available.

Project Goals

The project targets the maturation of T4D technology in three major steps:

1. Development of Composite Materials
   New thermite-based composite materials granting thermite a structural consistency will be developed and their behavior characterized. Environmental stress tests will secure their use across the satellite lifecycle.

2. Heat-Generating Shapes and Devices
   With these building blocks, heat-generating shapes and devices will be developed, supported by the experience of a large spacecraft integrator. The heat transfer behavior of thermite-based objects will be modeled and validated under representative reentry conditions in a hypersonic wind tunnel. Results will support the update of system-level reentry simulation tools and the definition of an application strategy, further validated on demise tests in a wind tunnel with hardware of representative or simplified geometry from the selected use cases, supplied by a space company.

3. Cost-Benefit Analysis
   All previous outcomes will support a cost-benefit analysis for T4D industrial implementation and its long-term evolution. The results of the project will demonstrate with new experiments and modeling approaches that T4D has the potential to become an engineering standard for the space community.