Bringing plug-and-play gridded ion thruster technology its moment in the spotlight
The market of commercial communication satellites is undergoing a radical transformation. As the cost per gigabit per second for communication services drops, the ability to quickly bring services to market and reduce service lead times is becoming increasingly crucial. In this evolving market, electrical propulsion systems offer the opportunity to increase fuel efficiency by an order of magnitude compared to traditional chemical propulsion systems. However, electrical propulsion systems could take longer to reach their final orbit.
Gridded ion technology rising in electric propulsion
Gridded ion thruster technology has already demonstrated its capability to significantly boost the efficiency of electrical propulsion systems with very high specific impulse. Now, the ArianeGroup propulsion solution boosts the thrust to a new level. The EU-funded GIESEPP MP project is pushing forward the gridded ion thruster technology of medium-power applications. By advancing this technology, the initiative aims to increase the competitiveness of geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellite platforms. Boasting a dual-mode capability, ArianeGroup’s RIT2X thruster is a shining example of this effort for advancing GEO and MEO applications. “This feature provides superior efficiency in the low-thrust operating regime – ideal for tasks such as station keeping – and competitive thrust levels for high-thrust operations like orbit raising,” notes GIESEPP MP project coordinator Christian Knorr. “Thanks to its dual-mode capability, the RIT2X is set to empower new communication platforms and offer superior performance for scientific exploration missions,” adds Knorr.
Setting a new standard for the industry
GIESEPP MP will create the first European plug-and-play standardised electric propulsion platform based on gridded ion thruster technology that can operate ArianeGroup’s ion engines, with the flexibility to incorporate alternative thrusters. At the heart of this platform is the ArianeGroup RIT2X thruster, complemented by a radio-frequency generator, an Airbus Crisa power processing unit and an Airbus DS fluid management system. All of these elements are designed to deliver not only top-notch technical performance but are also created with cost efficiency and industrial standards in mind, paving the way for high volume production. The project approach ensures that in parallel to the development of the platform components, there is focus on establishing the necessary industrial production capabilities. This is crucial for meeting the ambitious economic objectives set by Airbus Defence and Space. On the technical front, project activities will conclude with a critical design review for the major components, followed by component-level verification tests. After these stages, all elements will be assembled in a common set-up for a coupling test. This test is pivotal for validating how the components operate together within the electric propulsion system. Thanks to the collaboration with partners from academia and industry, all tests will be performed in environments that closely mimic real-space conditions.
Europe’s first plug-and-play electric propulsion system
The ArianeGroup RIT2X thruster should be the first industrialised contemporary European gridded ion thruster. This plug-and-play standardised electric propulsion system maintains the flexibility for providers to choose individual electric propulsion components while also building their own customised electric propulsion systems. “Our project is bundling the experience and expertise of Europe’s top electric propulsion actors, offering a competitive, industrial-grade plug-and-play electric propulsion solution to the market while keeping the flexibility for individual solutions,” concludes Knorr.
Keywords
GIESEPP MP, electric propulsion, electric space propulsion, plug-and-play, gridded ion thruster, ArianeGroup, medium power, station keeping, orbit raising
