Deployment requirements for deorbiting electrodynamic tether technology

Green deorbiting technologies have begun to be investigated and Electrodynamic Tethers (EDTs) appear to be a promising option. By generating a drag Lorentz force, EDTs decrease the orbit altitude of the satellite causing its re-entry in atmosphere without using propellant. In this work, the requirements that drive the design of the Deployment Mechanism (DM) proposed for the H2020 Future Emerging Technologies FET OPEN Project E.T.PACK – Electrodynamic Tether Technology for Passive Consumable-less Deorbit Kit are presented. The main requirements that drive the design of the DM are discussed. The paper presents the synthesis of the reference profiles used by the deployer motor to make the tethered system reach the desired final conditions. The result is a strategy for deploying electrodynamic tape-shaped tethers that will be used for deorbiting satellites at the end of their operational life through a green technology that exploits Lorentz forces.