ProSEDS

Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System

ProSEDS was proposed by NASA MSFC to demonstrate enhanced orbital decay of a 1-ton Delta-II spent stage using electrodynamic drag and a "bare wire" electron collector. The experiment was self-powered: electrons were collected near the top of a 5 km wire, driven along the wire by an EMF caused by orbital motion across the earth's magnetic field, and emitted back into the ionosphere by a hollow cathode at the bottom. TAI's roles in this project were modifying the flight-proven SEDS hardware for use with wire, assisting design and fabrication of a somewhat fragile conductive-coated stranded aluminum wire, and analyzing many aspects of the project.

Low but non-zero risks of collision with the ISS led to shortening a non-conducting stabilizing tether attached to the top end of the wire, and moving the experiment below ISS altitude. This greatly reduced the risks, but left some risks in case of tether cut or other contingencies. This eventually led to project cancellation. (It also helped lead TAI to include fault-tolerant active avoidance capabilities on NRL's TEPCE and on the ElectroDynamic Debris Eliminator, or EDDE.)

ProSEDS deployer assembly.

Deployer canister.