Miniaturised Hall effect propulsion for small satellites

Project Information

EXOTRAIL

Grant agreement ID: 817378

DOI

10.3030/817378

Project closed

EC signature date 12 May 2018

Start date 1 June 2018

End date 31 October 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

EXOTRAIL
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EXOTRAIL (Miniaturised Hall effect propulsion for small satellites)

Reporting period: 2018-06-01 to 2018-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Exotrail is a start-up developing electric propulsion systems and software for small satellites. We are developing several products:

- ExoMG™ - Hall Effect Thrusters for 10-100+kg satellites (ExoMG™ - nano and ExoMG™ - micro);
- ExoMS - Mission Services – Mission studies for the space industry;
- ExoOps™ - Mission Design and ExoOps™ - Mission Operation – unique cloud-based software for design, optimization and operation of propulsion maneuvers.

Our propulsion solutions allow small satellites to change their orbit after launch, thereby generating higher revenues, better performances and lower space debris.

In February 2018, Exotrail successfully applied to the Instrument SME - Phase 1 funding for a project called “Miniaturised Hall Effect Propulsion for Small Satellites”. The duration of the project was 5 months starting in June 2018. The total cost was 71.429€, with a total funding of European Commission of 50.000€.

The objectives of the Instrument SME Phase 1 project were threefold:

- Do a technical & industrial feasibility study;
- Do an IP viability and feasibility study;
- Do a sales & commercialization viability study.

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

All of this work has been successfully conducted by Exotrail team with highly promising results:

- A full supply chain has been identified with at least two suppliers for all the components, the very high majority of our suppliers being European;
- An IP licensing contract has been signed in between the CNRS, SATT Paris-Saclay and Exotrail;
- A Freedom To Operate (FTO) analysis has been conducted on our technology;
- An IP strategy analysis has been conducted, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Exotrail (SWOT Analysis);
- Sales & industrialization processes have been initiated;
- A full market study has been conducted with both top-down and bottom-up approach;
- A thorough business plan has been built.

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)

The project has allowed us to confirm the business potential of our company and we have decided to carry on the project. Since the successful approval of our project by the European Commission, approximately 4M€ of funds have been raised, the majority through prestigious French venture capitals. Public money has been obtained at the French level through Bpifrance and the French Minister for High Education, Innovation & Research. This has allowed the company to open a second branch of activity in Toulouse, and to extend the team (from 6 to 19 people in three months).

Our integrated Hall effect propulsion system prototype