The objective of DEEP-PPU project is to develop up to TRL5 a disruptive Power Processing Unit (PPU) for Electrical
Propulsion Gridded Ion Thrusters (GIT). This solution will stand out with its outstanding 30% mass and volume
reduction compared to the existing solutions on the market, while reducing the cost of the unit by a factor of two.
The DEEP PPU project will strengthen the EU's space sector competitiveness in the international market, while
securing the autonomy of supply for critical technologies and equipment.
The target PPU will be achieved through the use ground-breaking technologies in space, namely Gallium Nitride
semiconductors and Commercial Off-The-Shelf components, together with the implementation of custom design of
power magnetics, the integration of the Radio Frequency Generation (RFG) unit and the synergies with previous
developments in the frame of GIESEPP (Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propulsion Platforms).
The integration of the RFG unit within the PPU, in addition to simplifying the Electric Propulsion System and
lowering the overall costs, will allow to accommodate GIT systems in platforms currently implementing Hall-Effect
Thruster (HET) without structural changes, making the GIT solution much more attractive to satellite integrators.
Market is moving fast, and to bring innovative solutions leading to an increase of competitiveness is nowadays even
more important. The main key satellite integrators are considering to include in their portfolio both technologies,
high thrust EP solutions mainly based on HET, and high Isp solutions mainly based on GIT. The increase of
competitiveness will have a direct positive impact at system level for GIT solutions which will enable the use of
European GIT systems by key satellite integrators worldwide, in particular by US and European key players. The
target markets are GEO and MEO and deep space applications which overall offers an accessible market of 20
satellites average per year. To date GIT EP based solutions have a market share between 10 to 15% of the overall
market. The proposed activity will bring the opportunity to increase market share up to 30% with 5 to 7 satellites
average per year. The increase of market share will lead to a significant business volume for the DEEP PPU over the
period 2023 – 2030 up to 70 M€. This figure represents a business volume increase of around 50 M€
A multidisciplinary team of entities across Europe has been set, providing the right background and expertise to
perform the required activities.
The proposed PPU product fits the HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01-12 topic (Technologies and generic building
blocks for Electrical Propulsion), specifically addressing the second area of this topic “R&I on electrical power
architecture and related components (Power Processing Unit, direct drive, etc.)”
