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. ThrustMes 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 worlds 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 (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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.3.1.2 - The Accelerator
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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-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance
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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-EIC-2021-ACCELERATOROPEN-01
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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.
91370 Verrieres Le Buisson
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.