Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ASPIRE (Advanced Space Propulsion for Innovative Realization of space Exploration)
Período documentado: 2021-01-01 hasta 2021-12-31
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.
The main objective of ASPIRE is to advance up to 6 the TRL of the long-life 20kW Hall Thruster System developed by the CHEOPS Consortium. 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 expected increase of technological maturity will be pursued through a refined design loop, a test campaign and the development of dedicated analysis and simulation tools aimed at reducing qualification and development costs.
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.
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.
The main objective of ASPIRE is to advance up to 6 the TRL of the long-life 20kW Hall Thruster System developed by the CHEOPS Consortium. 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 expected increase of technological maturity will be pursued through a refined design loop, a test campaign and the development of dedicated analysis and simulation tools aimed at reducing qualification and development costs.
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.
The work carried out during the first reporting period to achieve Project targets is summarized below:
SO-1. A value analysis has been preliminarily performed (D2.7 Value Analysis First Issue) aimed at identifying specific missions that can take advantage from the use of a 20 kW HET system. A preliminary set of HT20k specifications was then identified (D2.1 TASF-ASP-PD-0201 System requirements). The current baseline includes the CHEOPS thermal, mechanical, and radiative requirements. Selected shock and vibration levels are relevant to potential large launchers (Ariane 64, Falcon Heavy, Space Launch System).
After performing a specific trade-off analysis dedicated to the system architecture, the preliminary design of the Electric Propulsion System (EPS) was performed (D2.5 System Design Description), based on the value analysis D2.7 and the mission cases assessed in D2.1. The system architecture and relevant requirement specifications have been assessed and consolidated at the d-PDR milestone, held with the participation of the Project team, the Agency and PSA representatives.
SO-2. The activities dedicated to the maturation and optimization of the design of the subsystems (Flow Management System, Thruster Unit and Power Architecture) started with the analysis of possible trade-offs and the identification of relevant requirements at subsystem level. Specific co-engineering activities have been performed and are ongoing as necessary to support the design phase.
SO-3. One of the pillars of ASPIRE is the development of alternative qualification strategies based on advanced numerical tools aimed at reducing the significant cost and time requirements of a full-fledged qualification campaign of a 20kW Hall thruster system. To this aim, the academic Partners in the Project team, each with unique expertise and capabilities in advanced computational and experimental analyses of plasma propulsion systems, are collaborating to achieve the expected progress for what concerns modelling of the plasma behavior as well as transient phenomena and plasma instabilities
SO-4. The study of the effect of alternative propellants on thruster and cathode performance and discharge stability is ongoing. Numerical and simulation tools have been developed to assess facility effects: the set-up of the “thruster + facility” conditions has been defined, and some first simulations are being run with specific proprietary codes, upgraded on-purpose for this activity.
SO-1. A value analysis has been preliminarily performed (D2.7 Value Analysis First Issue) aimed at identifying specific missions that can take advantage from the use of a 20 kW HET system. A preliminary set of HT20k specifications was then identified (D2.1 TASF-ASP-PD-0201 System requirements). The current baseline includes the CHEOPS thermal, mechanical, and radiative requirements. Selected shock and vibration levels are relevant to potential large launchers (Ariane 64, Falcon Heavy, Space Launch System).
After performing a specific trade-off analysis dedicated to the system architecture, the preliminary design of the Electric Propulsion System (EPS) was performed (D2.5 System Design Description), based on the value analysis D2.7 and the mission cases assessed in D2.1. The system architecture and relevant requirement specifications have been assessed and consolidated at the d-PDR milestone, held with the participation of the Project team, the Agency and PSA representatives.
SO-2. The activities dedicated to the maturation and optimization of the design of the subsystems (Flow Management System, Thruster Unit and Power Architecture) started with the analysis of possible trade-offs and the identification of relevant requirements at subsystem level. Specific co-engineering activities have been performed and are ongoing as necessary to support the design phase.
SO-3. One of the pillars of ASPIRE is the development of alternative qualification strategies based on advanced numerical tools aimed at reducing the significant cost and time requirements of a full-fledged qualification campaign of a 20kW Hall thruster system. To this aim, the academic Partners in the Project team, each with unique expertise and capabilities in advanced computational and experimental analyses of plasma propulsion systems, are collaborating to achieve the expected progress for what concerns modelling of the plasma behavior as well as transient phenomena and plasma instabilities
SO-4. The study of the effect of alternative propellants on thruster and cathode performance and discharge stability is ongoing. Numerical and simulation tools have been developed to assess facility effects: the set-up of the “thruster + facility” conditions has been defined, and some first simulations are being run with specific proprietary codes, upgraded on-purpose for this activity.
ASPIRE is expected to contribute to develop, in the mid-term, the European capabilities to compete in the area of high-power electric propulsion systems at a worldwide level. The use cases and applications of the 20kW-class EP system are an important pillar on which ASPIRE is based, ensuring that the system will be an effective response to the needs of the potential end-users.
Space transportation and exploration for scientific and potentially commercial reasons is strongly tied to the development of suitable power and propulsion modules that meet the demanding requirements of these scenarios; requirements that become increasingly more stringent and challenging as the mission destination gets farther from the Earth.
The 20kW system developed within ASPIRE incorporates several design solutions at the forefront of technology. These have been necessary due to the particular challenges associated with such systems, such as high thermal loads, potentially critical response to vibrational loads, high propellant throughput and long lifetime. Surface treatments, additive manufacturing, and magnetic shielding of the thruster channel walls are only some of these high-tech solutions.
To render the studied missions feasible, implementation of high-power EP systems based on Hall technology is a necessity. This means that the 20kW Hall thruster system of ASPIRE serves as the cornerstone technology for the realization of near-future robotic platforms and mission concepts which are increasingly gaining attention around the world. As a result, not only ASPIRE has an application-oriented view to development, but also aims at advancing a system that boosts European capacities in the soon-to-come global competition for servicing satellites, tugs and logistics transportation platforms.
Besides having an eye on the EPS applications, ASPIRE consortium sees the alternative qualification strategy, complemented by predictive numerical tools, and the de-risk efforts and investigations, to be carried out by the academic and industrial partners, as essential to enable delivering a qualified EP system in time for potential European on-orbit demonstration and robotic servicing missions in the second half of 2020 decade.
Space transportation and exploration for scientific and potentially commercial reasons is strongly tied to the development of suitable power and propulsion modules that meet the demanding requirements of these scenarios; requirements that become increasingly more stringent and challenging as the mission destination gets farther from the Earth.
The 20kW system developed within ASPIRE incorporates several design solutions at the forefront of technology. These have been necessary due to the particular challenges associated with such systems, such as high thermal loads, potentially critical response to vibrational loads, high propellant throughput and long lifetime. Surface treatments, additive manufacturing, and magnetic shielding of the thruster channel walls are only some of these high-tech solutions.
To render the studied missions feasible, implementation of high-power EP systems based on Hall technology is a necessity. This means that the 20kW Hall thruster system of ASPIRE serves as the cornerstone technology for the realization of near-future robotic platforms and mission concepts which are increasingly gaining attention around the world. As a result, not only ASPIRE has an application-oriented view to development, but also aims at advancing a system that boosts European capacities in the soon-to-come global competition for servicing satellites, tugs and logistics transportation platforms.
Besides having an eye on the EPS applications, ASPIRE consortium sees the alternative qualification strategy, complemented by predictive numerical tools, and the de-risk efforts and investigations, to be carried out by the academic and industrial partners, as essential to enable delivering a qualified EP system in time for potential European on-orbit demonstration and robotic servicing missions in the second half of 2020 decade.