Project description
Advancing systems for new electric iodine thrusters
Propulsion systems operating on iodine offer a sustainable, competitive and low-cost alternative to traditional propellants. The EU-funded iFACT-MP project aims to advance iodine-fed propulsion systems working in the mid-power range (3-5 kW). Project activities include upscaling the Advanced Cusp Field Thruster (ACFT) and neutraliser at Airbus Friedrichshafen and developing a fluidic chain at Airbus Toulouse. Furthermore, Fraunhofer IKTS will work on improving the C12A7 emitter ceramics of the iodine-fed neutraliser, a major building block of iodine propulsion; Airbus Elancourt will develop a breadboard power processing unit for control and operation; the University of Pisa will provide an optical flow meter for performance characterisation; Aerospazio will create a suitable iodine-compatible testing facility; and EASN TIS will ensure efficient dissemination to the targeted communities.
Objective
iFACT-MP (iodine Fed Advanced Cusp field Thruster for Mid-Power) aims to develop an iodine fed thruster subsystem for the 3-5 kW range. The activity will include work on all the critical building blocks required to enable the realisation of an iodine EP subsystem. This encompasses the upscaling of the Advanced Cusp Field Thruster (ACFT) to that power range at Airbus Friedrichshafen and the development of the fluidic chain at Airbus Toulouse, consisting of the heated iodine reservoir, piping and flow control for the thruster as well as the neutraliser. Further, the necessary verification and formalisation of the fluidic design and iodine handling procedures will be performed to enable the implementation and integration of iodine EP subsystems on platform level. A major building block required to enable a completely iodine based EP chain is an iodine fed neutraliser. For this purpose, further improvements and modifications on C12A7 emitter ceramics will be performed by Fraunhofer IKTS, in close collaboration with the iodine cathode development at Airbus. To validate the necessary control and operational schemes, a breadboard PPU will be developed by Airbus Elancourt that includes all the required supplies, telemetry and functionalities to enable autonomous control of the thruster subsystem. To enable rapid and accurate characterisation of the developed thruster subsystem's performance, an optical iodine flow meter will be developed and integrated by University of Pisa. As currently no test facility exists to perform thruster testing at that power level, a suitable iodine compatible vacuum chamber including a thrust balance and diagnostics will be developed at Aerospazio. This facility will enable full characterisation and 500 h endurance testing of the developed thruster subsystem. To maximise the impact of the project, EASN will coordinate the public presence and communication, dissemination and exploitation activities.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry halogens
- engineering and technology materials engineering ceramics
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
82024 Taufkirchen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.