Ramping up production capacity of groundbreaking space propulsion systems

Project Information

EMBRACE II

Grant agreement ID: 190112192

DOI

10.3030/190112192

Project closed

EC signature date 27 July 2022

Start date 1 August 2022

End date 31 December 2024

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 515 000,00

EU contribution

€ 2 000 000,00

Coordinated by

THRUSTME
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EMBRACE II (Ramping up production capacity of groundbreaking space propulsion systems)

Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In the age of satellite constellations and more accessible space exploration, satellite manoeuvres are growing at an exponential rate and are anticipated to exceed one million manoeuvres by 2028. At ThrustMe, we are enabling a sustainable future by offering in-orbit mobility solutions tailored for the forthcoming wave of industrialized satellites. Our products and services represent a holistic approach combining intelligent propulsive solutions with efficient lean manufacturing processes. The EMBRACE II project, funded by the European Commission through the EIC accelerator program has the overreaching ambition for ThrustMe to serve a larger portion of the satellite in-orbit mobility market by providing smart and intelligent operated clusters of ThrustMe’s currently industrialized propulsion units.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The EMBRACE II project is divided into three core work packages, with each package comprising multiple tasks aimed at distinct objectives, ranging from technical advancements to administrative milestones.
The first work package focuses on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal aspects of the propulsion systems, aiming to achieve an integrated and efficient clustering. All milestones in this package are on track.
The second package is directed at preparing the market for ThrustMe's innovations, including brand awareness campaigns and pre-launch marketing efforts. Milestones related to brand outreach and market preparation are on schedule.
The third package deals with the project’s overall management, including financial, administrative, and operational aspects, as well as communication with stakeholders. Significant progress has been made, and the project is overall on track.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Successful testing and qualification campaigns of the Production Qualification Model (PQM) of ThrustMe’s iodine-fueled electric propulsion systems have made significant improvements to the state-of-the-art and ThrustMe is at the forefront of research and development of these innovative solutions.
The successful simulation and ground test of cluster operations have provided new insight into the operation of propulsion clusters.

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