NEWS2023.2.22

Our carbon nanotube tethers for ultra-low altitude orbit maintenance missions were introduced at the ‘Nano-Satellite Applications Symposium 2023’ organised by JAXA.

On 21 February 2023, the ‘Nanosatellite Application Symposium 2023’ hosted by JAXA was held at the X-NIHONBASHI TOWER.

We are participating in the materials field in the “Ultra-low altitude orbit maintenance mission using carbon nanotube tethers” by STARS Space Service, which was selected in the first public call for the nano-satellite mission expansion programme in Session 2.Our 100% carbon nanotube (CNT) tether is expected to be used as a conductive tether (cable) based on the EDT (ElectroDynamicTether) principle due to its material properties.

In this mission, our carbon nanotube conductive tether is used as the EDT material, and the CNT tether generates Lorentz force by passing an electric current through it, and the satellite is electrically propelled by this Lorentz force.

This electric propulsion by CNT conductive tethers is a new technology. The CNT conductive tether eliminates the need for propellants (e.g. jet propulsion) in the satellite itself, thus enabling a dramatic reduction in weight and the long-term operation of ultra-low earth orbit satellites.

In addition, if current collection is stopped and Lorentz forces are not generated, the satellite can immediately enter the atmosphere and be incinerated (burned), preventing the satellite from becoming space debris (waste).

The Company is expanding the use of carbon nanotubes as a space material with various possibilities and will contribute to the ever-expanding space business from here onwards.