Project description
For a competitive and reliable European satellite industry
With space exploration once again gaining traction and the Internet of things and satellite technologies advancing, Europe needs to innovate in the field of propulsion systems. To maintain its competitive edge, the EU-funded CHEOPS MEDIUM POWER project aims to provide Europe with a highly reliable dual-mode Hall effect electric propulsion system with enough power to perform both orbit-raising and station-keeping jobs. To achieve this, it will capitalise on CHEOPS phase 1 results to develop parts that will be used to create a lower-cost, higher-quality, faster assembly and manufacturing and more durable solution.
Objective
To prepare future large satellite missions, replace obsolete networks or introduce new on-board technological advances, Europe must offer to its satellite industry a competitive and highly reliable European dual mode Hall-effect Electric Propulsion System able to provide sufficient power to perform both orbit raising (7kW) and station keeping (3kW) duties.
Based on CHEOPS Phase I results, CHEOPS MEDIUM POWER will perform incremental developments on system and sub-system levels in order to achieve TRL6/7 by 2023.
CHEOPS MEDIUM POWER will further mature the different system elements (Thruster Unit, PPU, FMS) by addressing the following key challenges: non-recurring and recurring cost reduction in terms of design, manufacturing, test qualification and time to deliver, as well as propellent efficiency in order to increase valuable payload and generate revenues. These advancements will fit into a less than 10kg thruster working at both 250 and 400V. CHEOPS MEDIUM POWER will deliver for the thruster unit an optimised design for a very high thrust and improved lifecycle durations. On an industrial level the project aims at reduced fabrication cycles, improved quality, leaner manufacture, faster assembly lead times, and improved tolerance management. The Power processing unit will be optimised by removing unnecessary functions and re-selecting cheaper key components with at least constant reliability levels. The project’s scope extends to FMS level where space qualifiable COTS will be used to provide maximum mission suitability for variable number of thrusters per satellite.
CHEOPS MEDIUM POWER will have a medium-term impact on the European space industry and its overall competitiveness, but also on the satellite design and manufacturing paradigm in the long term.
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Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
27200 Vernon
France