THREAD
THermite REactions Assisting satellite Demise
Informazioni Generali
- Coordinatore:
- POLITECNICO DI MILANO (POLIMI) (Italia)
- Responsabile ENEA:
- CEMMI ALESSIA - NUC-IRAD-GAM (CASACCIA)
- Ruolo ENEA:
- PARTNER
- Sito WEB:
- Sito WEB non disponibile
Descrizione e Attività
Descrizione Generale
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). 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. However, its
real world application needs the filling of knowledge gaps and practical problems: (A) the powdered form is not the best way to obtain
localized reliable heat release; (B) the expected life cycle in a space mission has never been considered; (C) a strategy for T4D use is
not available. The project targets the maturation of T4D technology in three major steps. (1) 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 satellite lifecycle. (2) 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 hypersonic wind tunnel. Results will support the update of system-level reentry simulation tools
and the definition of application strategy, further validated on demise test in wind tunnel with hardware of representative or simplified
geometry from the selected use-cases, supplied by a space company. (3) 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.
Attività svolta da ENEA
L’ENEA è partner del progetto e parteciperà attivamente ai seguenti 3 Work Packages:
WP1: Management
WP4 – Environmental stress tests
WP7 - Communication, dissemination, and exploitation
Programmi Europei
- Programma:
- HORIZON EUROPE (2021-2027) → EIC - European Innovation Council (EIC Grants)
Dati Finanziari (in euro)
Costo Eleggibile
- Progetto:
- 2.919.176,00
- ENEA:
- 250.000,00
Contributo
- Al progetto:
- 2.919.176,00
- A ENEA:
- 250.000,00
Durata del Progetto
- Anno di stipula e Durata:
- 2025 - 42 mesi
- Periodo:
- 01-05-2025 → 31-10-2028