Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EMBRACE (Electric space propulsion Matures the Booming technology space RACE)

Teaser

Imagine increasing the number of operational satellites in orbit by one order of magnitude in the next ten years – this is where we are currently headed! Why are we heading this way - because with smaller satellites operating in constellations we can bring connectivity to...

Summary

Imagine increasing the number of operational satellites in orbit by one order of magnitude in the next ten years – this is where we are currently headed! Why are we heading this way - because with smaller satellites operating in constellations we can bring connectivity to half the Earth’s population not yet connected - bridge the digital divide - and we can monitor our planet in real time to better understand and protect our home planet.
However, for the space industry to remain sustainable with so many satellites, intelligent, constellation-friendly propulsion systems are, and will be, a necessity.
ThrustMe’s standalone propulsion solutions, by extending the lifetime, optimizing and accelerating revenue generation, and decreasing the cost basis of the satellite architecture, boost the business case of constellations. Additionally, they increase the sustainability of satellite operations by avoiding collisions and facilitating end-of-life operations.
Satellite constellations need reliable, affordable, user-friendly propulsion systems that can be produced on the order of tens of units per year. The NPT30 and I2T5 have shown to answer the need of pilot clients. Thanks to EMBRACE these unique systems are now being industrialized.

Work performed

ThrustMe is a deep-tech company in the space industry. We develop and manufacture smart and fully-integrated space propulsion systems for next-generation satellites. We also develop scientific instruments and conduct ground testing of space hardware, and we assist our clients when they need our expertise and experience in tackling thermal, mechanical and electrical challenges.
We were founded in 2017, and when the EMBRACE project started, we had one miniaturized stand- alone electric propulsion product at TRL6. This product is called NPT30 and the main goal for EMBRACE was to bring it to TRL8:
“Thanks to the EMBRACE H2020 SME Instrument Phase 2 project, ThrustMe is now ready to transform a very promising TRL6 proof of concept into an industrialized TRL8 stand-alone system that the space industry is longing to embrace.”
We are now half way through the EMBRACE project, and we have had more success than we could imagine. Instead of having one product at TRL 8 with the first pilot clients, we have entered the market with 3 products each with promising pilot clients. Two of these products are a result of seeing new market opportunities, and leveraging the technology and work we have done to develop the NPT30. The two new products are called I2T5, a cold gas propulsion system, and LTA, a plasma source for ground testing of space hardware.

Final results

Iodine has been viewed by the space propulsion community as a high potential propellant for more than a decade. NASA, ESA and large aerospace companies on both sides of the Atlantic have been investing millions of euros to develop and fly iodine-based propulsion systems.
Simply replacing a traditional pressurized gas propellant like xenon by iodine does not work. The development of a system using solid iodine requires outside-the-box thinking and a complete redesign of the system.
ThrustMe’s successful in-orbit test is a major milestone for space propulsion. It validates that the technical challenges have been overcome. It is a big step forward for the I2T5 product but also for all the other larger propulsion systems that will benefit tremendously from this affordable, non-pressurized, non-flammable propellant.

Website & more info

More info: https://www.thrustme.fr/.