Dyneema® fiber used in "space mail" delivery experiment27-Sep-07

DSM Dyneema today announced its ultra-strong, lightweight Dyneema® polyethylene fiber was chosen by Delta-Utec, one of the world's leading experts in the field, to be used in a swinging tether experiment in space. The experiment entailed the attempted return of a capsule from space without the need for rocket propulsion. The “Space Mail” delivery of the second Young Engineers’ Satellite (YES2) capsule – which was lofted into space on Sept. 14 – made use of the unique qualities and performance of Dyneema® fiber. The total tether had a length of 30 km, with a weight of only 5.5 kg. Also, only a 0.5 mm thickness was required, due to the exceptional strength of Dyneema®.

Experimenting with the use of tethers instead of retro rockets to return payloads to Earth offers benefits of simplicity and reduced fuel costs. Although the (secondary) goal of setting a new world record was not met, the YES2 team-members were pleased with the results of this experiment. According to Jaco Fok, Business Manager Yarn DSM Dyneema, “Only Dyneema® fiber could deliver the unique combination of strength, light weight and low elongation that was required for the experiment with the swinging tether. Dyneema® helped take science a step forward in “space mail” delivery research, for the benefit of future experiments and satellite missions.”