Millennium Space Systems demonstrates deployable tape technology

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Aug 23, 2021, 08:00 ET

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing (NYSE: BA) company, successfully demonstrated the ability of deployable tether technology to significantly reduce the time a satellite remains on orbit after service life completion.

"Thousands of satellites will launch over the next decade, creating serious congestion in low Earth orbit," said Patrick Kelly, Ph.D., Dragracer program manager at Millennium Space Systems. "What we've proven is a way to safely and deliberately deorbit retired satellites."

Drag tape quickly and safely de-orbits satellite

Dragracer is the first direct comparison of a drag tape on two identical satellites. The satellite outfitted with a 70m Terminator Tape^® developed by Tethers Unlimited, burned upon reentry to Earth's atmosphere after eight months. The satellite without tape will naturally deorbit unaided on its journey back to Earth after at least seven years.

"If a satellite has a two-year operational life, you're looking at a big piece of space debris sticking around for potentially decades," said Kelly. "With drag tape, we significantly reduce the time it remains space debris, and it's one less piece of debris to track."

The Terminator Tape^® creates additional surface area that interacts with the Earth's atmosphere to create drag, which draws satellites back to Earth faster. The tape is deployed with a simple mechanism when a satellite is ready to de-orbit. And, because the tape is so lightweight, it has no effect on the satellite's primary mission.

"Dragracer is the first complete demonstration of safe and rapid deorbit of a satellite by the Terminator Tape Deorbit Module," said Robert Hoyt, president of Tethers Unlimited. "The Terminator Tape is an affordable, lightweight, patented, and now flight-proven solution for responsible end-of-mission disposal of satellites to help ensure the long-term sustainability of space operations."

Millennium Space designed and developed Dragracer in just nine months – and Dragracer then launched from Auckland, New Zealand, November 19, 2020. The program was a collaborative effort with Tethers Unlimited, mission launch service provider TriSept and launch vehicle provider Rocket Lab.

Media Contact:

Dana Carroll, vice president, Marketing
Millennium Space Systems
[email protected]

About Millennium Space Systems
Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, delivers high-performing prototype and constellation solutions across advanced national security and environmental observation missions. Founded in 2001, the company's small satellite missions support government, civil and commercial space customers' needs across orbits.

SOURCE Millennium Space Systems