SPARTAN

SPAce exploration Research for Throatable Adavanced eNgine

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The SPARTAN research aims at developing a throttable propulsion technology, which is mandatorily needed for any planetary soft and precision landing. It relies on the hybrid engine technology, exploiting its capability of being throttled and its proper performances. This research is complementary to ESA TRP and Piedmont Regional development programs. It implements and strengthens the technological base in view of the future robotics and manned space exploration missions. The outcomes from the SPARTAN development can be reflected also in many other Earth/Space civilian applications, exploiting both the throttling capability of the propulsion system and the peculiar characteristics of the hybrid engine technology, like: safety, minimum environmental impact (green propellants), lower life cycle costs, responsiveness, competitive Performances, increased reliability, soft ignition and shutdown. The hybrid propulsion system is formed by two major constitutors: the engine itself, housing the fuel, and the oxidizer injection system. The research focuses on three major objectives, needed to achieve the soft and precision landing capabilities:  The engine design, specific for throttling functionality  The oxidizer throttable device development  The design of the landing case: test bench and testing procedures Development will be supported by establishing an advanced coding, enabling the definition of the fuel and the throttling behavior of the hybrid engine. Engine definition will be supported by development tests: cold injection case on subscale model, dedicated to the throttling device, and hot firing on lab model, merging the throttling device and the engine model. In parallel a landing test and associated landing model (flying test bed) will be developed, providing for proven landing model and landing test capabilities. These capabilities will allow demonstrating the soft landing features of a throttable hybrid propulsion technology.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Soft and safe landings are critical to exploration of planetary surfaces as well as to re-entry of manned and robotic space vehicles. EU-funded scientists are developing the required technology and a unique soft landing test bed.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The success of future space exploration missions, whether robotic or manned, requires the capability of soft and precise landings on the surfaces of destinations such as the Moon, Mars and even Jupiter's moon Europa. Throttleable propulsion technology could be a key enabler.

EU-funded scientists working on the project 'Space exploration research for throttleable advanced engine' (http://www.spartanproject.eu/ (SPARTAN)) are developing that technology. This hybrid engine design will have the ability to increase or decrease engine power with advanced safety, minimal environmental impact and lower life-cycle costs. Major effort is being expended to develop the low-cost test bench and procedures to enable ground testing including a landing test.

The hybrid propulsion system consists of the engine itself that houses the fuel together with the oxidiser injection system. During the second year of the project, scientists finalised the throttling device and oxidiser system design, and delivered the throttling device performance validation report. They completed the engine design and tested it in static mode. Results pointed to minor modifications now underway, mainly in the catalyst components. The thrust control algorithm is under development as is the definition of the guidance, navigation and control architecture.

With its completion, SPARTAN will have demonstrated the first European soft landing drop test using a throttleable engine and an autonomously guided lander module. This will pave the way for future research, enabling soft landings on moon and planetary surfaces as well as re-entry of a crew space transportation vehicle. Reduced dependence on imported technologies for space access and transportation is an important driver of European space research programmes. Project success will demonstrate EU capability and ambition on the international space scene with important impact on future space missions.