Project description
Iodine-fed thrusters for satellite propulsion
Amidst a dynamic satellite market environment, the iodine fed advanced cusp field thruster (iFACT) aims to disrupt the status quo in electric propulsion technology. The advanced cusp field thruster (ACFT) was developed by Airbus in 2017. Its features present a significant potential for simplicity, efficiency and low costing in electric propulsion subsystems. The thruster is easy to ignite and optimised to run on iodine, having demonstrated excellent performance results. The prospect for iodine as a novel propellant and for the ACFT as a principal thruster to replace incumbent technology will be further explored, among other focus areas, as part of the EU-funded iFACT project.
Objective
Since several years, the industrialisation of the satellite market has been accelerated. In particular, the market for telecom satellites has changed significantly, because of several new players and numerous plans for satellite constellations, such as OneWeb or Starlink.
In order to increase competitiveness and to disrupt the electric propulsion market, we are proposing the development of the iodine Fed Advanced Cusp field Thruster (iFACT).
iFACT consists of an Advanced Cusp Field Thruster (ACFT), a simple PPU, a thermionic Emitter, a novel propellant feeding architecture, which is optimised for iodine. The ACFT has been invented by Airbus in 2017. Due to its simplicity, paired with efficiency, the fact that it is easy to ignite and its excellent performance data with iodine, it is tailored as key element for an extremely simple, efficient and low cost Electric Propulsion Subsystem (EPS). The baseline thruster (300 W input power) can be used with a simple thermionic cathode. The simple operation of the ACFT enables a reduced (wrt. number of parts and control circuits) but efficient PPU. This components are paired with an unique iodine feeding architecture which is capable to disrupt the electric propulsion market.
Based on this, the proposal will focus on:
- Iodine as disruptive propellant for electric thruster,
- maturation of the Advanced Cusp Field Thruster (ACFT) as disruptive thruster principle, in three different power classes,
- development of an novel, disruptive, extremly simplified low cost Power Processing Unit (PPU),
- use of calcium aluminate (C12A7) as disruptive, low-work function emitter material for cathodes,
- development of an European Iodine compatible long firing test facility.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
82024 Taufkirchen
Germany