Researchers examine the EURECA satellite

(CONNECT) Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have examined the EURECA satellite at the Center for X-Ray Analytics together with the Space Center of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss Museum of Transport. According to the press release, they used various methods to X-ray the satellite in one piece. The results of the study were published in the specialist publication "Acta Astronautica" in 2025. The X-ray methods and findings used could be applied in the future in the development of reusable space technologies, in aviation and in the automotive industry.

The European satellite EURECA, short for European Retrievable Carrier, was launched into space for the first and only time in 1992 and was brought back to earth eleven months later. This makes it one of the few satellites to have returned from its mission intact. It was finally exhibited at the Swiss Museum of Transport at the end of 2000 and x-rayed for the first time in 2016.

Using a high-energy X-ray system, the researchers succeeded in X-raying the satellite in one piece without destroying it. Other techniques were used for parts of the satellite and two preserved scientific instruments. The researchers found several defects such as cracks in the plastic struts and fractures and deformations in the instruments.

"Satellites in space are exposed to strong radiation, large temperature fluctuations and collisions with particles from meteorites and space debris," explains Empa researcher Robert Zboray, first author of the specialist publication. "We can use our methods to identify weak points in reusable satellites in particular. It would be ideal to X-ray such satellites both before launch and after landing." Reusable space technology could reduce space debris, which poses a threat to active satellites and manned spaceflight. According to Zboray, high-energy X-ray methods could also be used to optimize the design of reusable satellites. ce/nta