GIESEPP MP - Gridded Ion Engine Standardized Electric Propulsion Platform - Medium Power Solution

Project Information

GIESEPP MP

Grant agreement ID: 101004349

DOI

10.3030/101004349

Project closed

EC signature date 4 November 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2024

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space

Total cost

€ 5 886 210,00

EU contribution

€ 4 165 047,00

Coordinated by

ARIANEGROUP GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GIESEPP MP (GIESEPP MP - Gridded Ion Engine Standardized Electric Propulsion Platform - Medium Power Solution)

Reporting period: 2021-11-01 to 2023-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The consortium continues the activity started under COMPET-3-2016-a to develop, build and test to TRL6/7 the first European Plug and Play Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propul-sion Platform (GIESEPP) to operate ArianeGroup ion engines with option of alternative thrusters, for a medium power application.

The consortium’s intention is
• to reach a TRL6/7 of the medium power system with at least partial qualification to allow flight readiness
• to improve European competitiveness in this field by
+ optimising industrialisation both on thruster unit and EPS level
+ increasing the GIE systems production capacities
+ significantly reducing the recurring costs
• and to maintain and secure the European non-dependence on this crucial technological field.

The project will significantly advance design and development of this standardised electric propulsion platform for GEO (and MEO) applications:
- In order to cope with challenging mission scenarios, dual mode functionality of the thrusters will be realised. This ensures that the beneficial high ISP characteristics of Gridded Ion Engines are maintained, whilst also offering the flexibility for a competitive higher thrust mode
- Activities will be covered not only by the competence of experts in their respective fields but also by the use of advanced Engineering Models (EM), respectively Qualification Models (EQM)
- The GIESEPP systems will not be limited to xenon as an operating medium; assessment will be performed to ensure functionality with alternative propellants
- The proposal will describe the roadmap to higher TRL beyond 2023/2024, providing a cost competitive EPS that will meet the highest standards for an industrialised, rapid production process
- The anticipated business case is targeted for long term exploitation up to 2030 strengthening Europe s technological and economical competitiveness in a very fast changing market environment

With its focus on maximized efficiency GIESEPP MP offers a most appropriate answer to increasing needs for flexible versatile spacecrafts, in particular for communications and explorations, while ensuring the lowest impact on the environment both on earth at tests and in space.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first period of the project the focus of activities was set on

- Assess updated market needs an adapt on the mission requirements
- Align the requirement flow down from mission down to the respective equipment
- Review and adapt the concept and design of both system and components
- Selection of a FMS
- Communication and Dissemination

In the second period these activities have been complemented by

- Spacecraft market and system analysis
- FMS manufacturing and testing throughout full range of GIESEPP MP application
- RIT-2X thruster design improvements which are being implemented based on experience from outside GIESEPP MP
- Preparation of RIT-2X standalone testing incl. development and manufacturing of neutral gas probe
- RIT-2X industrialisation simulation model has been defined
- Elaboration of PPU / PHV design and successful performance of PHV CDR
- Initiation of PHV module and PCB manufacturing
- TSarting EPS level testing preparation and alignment

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Ambition on Beyond State of the Art (Post GIESEPP)
• Commercial 5 kW EPS available flight-ready (TRL6/7)
• High performance thruster unit operating in dual mode with specific impulse > 3000s
• Robust industrialisation foundation optimised to expected market volume both on system and component level to ensure maximum competitiveness
• PPU available with GaN and COTS with 30% reduced recurring costs at optimised European non-dependence
• Krypton confirmed as alternative propellants (while Xe keeps standard)
• EPS easily adaptable to second sources on different components

Expected Impacts expected are

- To develop, in the mid-term, the European capacity to compete in the worldwide arena of electric propulsion satellites and be in time to market
- To substantially increase medium and long term competitiveness of existing EP system technologies with a technology/application-driven approach
- To pursue developments which shall be mainly market-oriented, beneficial at system level and with a strategic view to long term needs
- To enable medium and longer term applications: Telecom, Space Transportation, MEO, Exploration and Science
- To anticipate ambitious long-term market evolution and strategic opportunities, so that the developed systems create new markets and shape existing ones
- To develop the Incremental Technology Electric Propulsion System up to system demonstration in a space environment and ready for its qualification

To reach this the major expected results of the project will consist of

- Undergo formal CDR on different levels
- Build up hardware for tests both on componenent and EPS level
- Qualification tests and activities both on component and EPS level
- Hot firing assessment tests with Krypton
- A validated new GaN/COTS-based PHV module for PPU
- A sound industrialisation plan

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