Descrizione del progetto
La tecnologia del propulsore a effetto Hall diventa più matura
Il propulsore a effetto Hall è un tipo di propulsore ionico in cui il propellente viene accelerato da un campo elettrico. Funziona con una varietà di propellenti, i più comuni dei quali sono xenon e krypton. Nonostante abbia attratto significative ricerche teoriche e sperimentali a partire dagli anni Sessanta, la tecnologia non ha raggiunto uno status qualificato principalmente a causa degli elevati costi di sistema e della mancanza di strutture di prova. Il progetto ASPIRE, finanziato dall’UE, si propone di rafforzare il livello di maturità tecnologica di un sistema di propulsione a effetto Hall da 20 kW a 6. Il lavoro del progetto si baserà sui risultati positivi di un altro progetto dell’UE denominato CHEOPS, che sta sviluppando tre diversi sistemi di propulsione elettrica con propulsori ad effetto Hall per servire orbite diverse.
Obiettivo
The recent developments in high-power Hall thruster systems, thanks to the optimal combination of performance and reliability, are enabling a wide set of mission scenarios. These technological advantages, coupled with the increasing availability of power onboard satellite platforms, are encouraging several spacecraft manufacturers to focus on the implementation of high-power Hall thruster systems.
The most promising scenarios envisage the introduction of a new class of service platforms characterized by versatility and a high level of reusability, the so-called Space Tug. Other applications, nowadays of particular interest, are the active debris removal to mitigate the possible collision risks. Besides, several exploration and scientific missions, such as Mars Sample Return, contemplate high power electric propulsion as the main propulsion system.
Despite these potential advantages, several factors have limited the possibility of reaching qualified status for these systems, such as huge costs and availability of test facility.
ASPIRE aims to increase the TRL of 20kW Hall Thruster system up to 6 by exploiting results obtained within CHEOPS. The project will cover many aspects, from mission scenarios analysis and satellite architecture consolidation to thruster unit TRL raise to 7 and enabling reduced-cost qualification. To keep operational and development costs as low as possible, krypton is maintained as baseline propellant.
The ASPIRE project also aims at augmenting the numerical modelling capability necessary for qualification of high-power EP systems, which lacks in Europe. The numerical models, developed and refined by three academic partners in the frame of this project, will be validated with the data gathered in more than 1000 hours of firing with Kr. Artificial intelligence is used to develop a novel simulation-aided qualification strategy, representing an exclusive European asset for the foreseen qualification and flight in the 2020-2030 decade.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligence
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrynoble gases
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyspace exploration
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraft
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
IA - Innovation actionCoordinatore
70042 Mola Di Bari
Italia