Space debris, from old satellites to rocket fragments, is becoming one of the greatest challenges for the future of space exploration.
To address this growing threat, the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa) at Instituto Superior Técnico joined the international research consortium gEICKo – Gecko-based Innovative Capture Kit for uncooperative and unprepared Orbital assets – which aims to develop an innovative, nature-inspired solution: gecko-based adhesion technology for capturing and removing orbital debris.
Inspired by the remarkable ability of geckos to cling to smooth surfaces using van der Waals forces, the team will develop a new capture system for satellites coated with synthetic materials that mimic gecko feet.
Researchers at Instituto Superior Técnico will contribute to the guidance, navigation, and control systems of the clean-up satellite, ensuring precise and autonomous capture of debris objects under challenging orbital conditions. “By combining biomimicry with advanced space robotics, this project represents a major leap toward safer and cleaner space”, said Rodrigo Ventura, a professor at Técnico and responsible for Técnico’s contribution.
The project was funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder with a total of €4 million. Alongside Técnico, the consortium, comprising researchers from the Institute for Systems and Robotics, brings together institutions from six European countries. The gEICKo consortium aims to deliver a working prototype of the capture system within three years, paving the way for the first generation of bio-inspired satellites to start cleaning up Earth’s orbit within the next decade.
* This text was written in collaboration with the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa)
