Descripción del proyecto
Avances en la tecnología de propulsores de efecto Hall
Los propulsores de efecto Hall son un tipo de propulsores de iones en los que el propelente se acelera mediante un campo eléctrico. Funcionan con diferentes propelentes, de los cuales el xenón y el criptón son los más comunes. A pesar de que desde 1960 el tema ha generado una abundante investigación teórica y experimental, la tecnología todavía no ha alcanzado un estado cualificado, principalmente por el elevado coste del sistema y la falta de instalaciones de prueba. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos ASPIRE tiene por objeto aumentar la preparación tecnológica de un sistema propulsor de efecto Hall de 20 kW hasta el nivel 6. El trabajo del proyecto aprovechará los resultados de otro proyecto de la Unión Europea llamado CHEOPS que está desarrollando tres sistemas diferentes de propulsión eléctrica con propulsores de efecto Hall para órbitas distintas.
Objetivo
The recent developments in high-power Hall thruster systems, thanks to the optimal combination of performance and reliability, are enabling a wide set of mission scenarios. These technological advantages, coupled with the increasing availability of power onboard satellite platforms, are encouraging several spacecraft manufacturers to focus on the implementation of high-power Hall thruster systems.
The most promising scenarios envisage the introduction of a new class of service platforms characterized by versatility and a high level of reusability, the so-called Space Tug. Other applications, nowadays of particular interest, are the active debris removal to mitigate the possible collision risks. Besides, several exploration and scientific missions, such as Mars Sample Return, contemplate high power electric propulsion as the main propulsion system.
Despite these potential advantages, several factors have limited the possibility of reaching qualified status for these systems, such as huge costs and availability of test facility.
ASPIRE aims to increase the TRL of 20kW Hall Thruster system up to 6 by exploiting results obtained within CHEOPS. The project will cover many aspects, from mission scenarios analysis and satellite architecture consolidation to thruster unit TRL raise to 7 and enabling reduced-cost qualification. To keep operational and development costs as low as possible, krypton is maintained as baseline propellant.
The ASPIRE project also aims at augmenting the numerical modelling capability necessary for qualification of high-power EP systems, which lacks in Europe. The numerical models, developed and refined by three academic partners in the frame of this project, will be validated with the data gathered in more than 1000 hours of firing with Kr. Artificial intelligence is used to develop a novel simulation-aided qualification strategy, representing an exclusive European asset for the foreseen qualification and flight in the 2020-2030 decade.
Ámbito científico
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligence
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrynoble gases
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyspace exploration
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraft
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-SPACE-2020
Régimen de financiación
IA - Innovation actionCoordinador
70042 Mola Di Bari
Italia