Airbus Unveils Innovative Solution to Stabilize Dead Satellites

Airbus has developed a magnetic damping device called Detumbler to address the growing issue of space debris. The device, weighing around 100 grams, is designed to be attached to satellites nearing the end of their life. It uses magnets and a central rotor wheel to interact with Earth's magnetic field, preventing unwanted motion when defunct satellites start to tumble. Detumbler aims to keep satellites on a more predictable path in Earth orbit, making it easier for future missions to capture and clean up space debris. The device will be tested on the Exo-0 nanosatellite in early 2024.