Project description
Iodine-fueled propulsion systems for next-generation small satellites
Many companies are planning to launch and operate constellations of small satellites over the next 10 years. Electric propulsion on current satellites often uses xenon as a propellant, which is rare, expensive and difficult to store. What’s more, propulsion subsystems are typically engineered separately by different suppliers. France-based deep-tech company ThrustMe is working on complete, standalone propulsion systems that run on iodine. This alternative propellant can be stored unpressurised as a solid and is almost 100 times cheaper than xenon. The EU-funded EMBRACE II project will support ThrustMe in ramping up production capacity to realise the full commercial potential of this new solution, while also helping to complete the development of advanced future propulsion systems.
Objective
The space industry is experiencing rapid growth with 24 000 satellites expected to be launched in the next ten years. Electric propulsion systems are needed for satellite mission success but conventional systems almost exclusively use xenon propellant which is expensive and must be stored at high pressures. In addition, conventional propulsion suppliers do not provide a complete system and subsystems are engineered separately by different suppliers. ThrustMe’s solution is a complete, standalone propulsion system that makes use of the groundbreaking alternative propellant iodine which can be stored unpressurized as a solid and is almost 100x cheaper than xenon. ThrustMe has recently performed the world’s first in-space demonstration of this new technology and has confirmed customer interest. Funding is needed to ramp up production capacity to help ThrustMe realize its full commercial potential to become market leaders, and to begin development of our next generation systems.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended FinanceCoordinator
91370 Verrieres Le Buisson
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.