Project description
Enabling improved and cheaper electric propulsion thrusters
The rising need for small satellites, which are less expensive to launch and can create constellations, has led to progress in propulsion tech. Electric propulsion (EP) is a key innovation as it gives a long operational life, lower costs, and accurate thrust control. Yet, EP has problems, such as costly and limited propellants and a long creation period, mostly from not having models that correctly show the complex plasma physics involved. The ERC-funded HiMomPlas project aims to create better predictive plasma models. These models will allow the making of thrusters that have improved performance, stability, and lower costs, while also giving key information on how long they last.
Objective
We are in the midst of a technological revolution characterized by the large demand for small satellites. These satellites are cheaper to launch and allow for forming constellations, impossible with larger satellites. As a result, they require propulsion systems in order to control their trajectories. Electric propulsion (EP) largely reduces the operational costs, using less propellant, precisely controlling thrust, and operating for long times. The response to the demand for EP is currently at stake because of two reasons: 1) Most of the thrusters operate with an expensive and scarce propellant gas, xenon, and 2) The development of the engines follows an empirical approach that is long and expensive, which limits the optimization and conception of new prototypes. These limitations are due to the lack of models that capture the complex plasma physics in EP, in particular: 1) The impact of the plasma composition and thruster geometry on the performance, 2) The presence of multi-scale plasma kinetic instabilities, and 3) The erosion of the walls interacting with the plasma.
Our objective is to develop advanced predictive plasma models, able to help to the conception of new thrusters operating with cheaper propellants, improving their stability and performance, and predicting their lifetime, without the need of expensive experimental campaigns. We will follow a multidisciplinary approach, integrating physicist, engineers, chemists, and applied mathematicians. Our methodology aims at extending the classical fluid equations by solving for higher-order moments, allowing to describe in an efficient manner microscopic (kinetic) processes. With advanced numerical techniques, we will propose multi-scale models able to describe the turbulent phenomena, the wall processes, and efficiently simulate the multi-scale nature of EP. The models will be integrated into a numerical tool that will be validated with experiments using cutting-edge uncertainty quantification techniques.
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 noble gases
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- social sciences political sciences political transitions revolutions
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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) ERC-2025-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
75794 PARIS
France
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.