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Enabling Chemical Propulsion System for the Growing Small Satellite Market

Objective

The global satellite industry is experiencing a paradigm shift exhibited by the rapid expansion of the small satellite market. It is being driven by continuously advancing technological, design, manufacturing capabilities and decreasing launch costs.
Despite the booming demand for and evident advantages of small satellites, one critical system – satellite propulsion – have fallen behind this recent miniaturization trend. At present, there are no market-ready small satellite green chemical propulsion systems available. Alternative propulsion systems are mostly based on hazardous chemicals, are expensive, difficult to integrate and offer low performance.
NanoAvionics, a satellite manufacturer and integrator, developed EPSS (TRL 6) – low cost, high performance propulsion system for small satellites, making use of a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly propellant. The entry market size for this system is €1.75 bn in 2017-2020. Success in this market will permit later extension of the technology to the medium and large scale satellite market.
To ensure successful commercialization, during SME Phase 2 project NanoAvionics aims to conduct final piloting and qualification of the technology, preparation of the production infrastructure, product commercialization, and increasing the investment readiness of the company. The project will raise the TRL of EPSS to 8 by integrating it into pilot partner’s satellite, and will contribute to reaching TRL 9 by launching partner’s satellites to space demonstrating EPSS in orbit. Using EPSS will enable pilot partner to offer unique services based on small satellite constellations.
NanoAvionics has already signed the piloting agreement as well as 3 Memorandums of Understanding and 10 Letters of Intent with organizations that intend to integrate EPSS into their satellites. SME Phase 2 project will result in €14 M revenues and €4.4 M profit by 2020 and brake even reached in 2 years after the end of the project.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

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.

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.

SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

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Coordinator

UAB KONGSBERG NANOAVIONICS
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 175 655,43
Address
MOKSLININKU G. 2A
10224 Vilnius
Lithuania

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Lietuva Sostinės regionas Vilniaus apskritis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 679 507,75
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