HEMPT-NG | High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster – Next Generation

Summary
HEMPT-NG addresses the topic COMPET-3-2016-a on Incremental Technologies part of the SRC electrical propulsion in line with the EPIC roadmap “to increase the competitiveness of EP systems developed in Europe” by developing an integrated solution based on HEMPT (Highly Efficient Multistage Plasma Thruster) , the fluidic management system, and the power processing unit.
The proposed development will raise the performance of all components beyond current state-of-the-art. The results will offer an ideal EPS system for LEO application up to 700 W and for Telecom/Navigation application up 3 kW.
The HEMPT technology offers unique innovative features compared to other EP technologies and makes HEMP a key candidate to overcome all the currently identified deficiencies:
1. No discharge channel erosion leading to higher lifetimes of the thruster,
2. Acceleration voltages enabling a high specific Impulse (ISP) leading to a drastic reduction of propellant consumption,
3. Unique large range of thrust offer enormous flexibility,
4. Minimal complexity of concept providing an excellent basis for economic competitiveness.
The HEMPT-NG consortium is led by TES (Thales Electronic System GmbH), subsidiary of the Thales Group, worldwide leader in the development and production of space products, responsible for thruster equipment and integrated EPS. European industrial partners are: Thales, OHB, Airbus and Aerospazio, who bring their expertise in spacecraft mission studies, equipment development and testing capacities. The University of Greifswald will provide plasma simulation to support the thrusters developed. These eight partners in five European member-states (Germany, France, UK, Belgium, Italy) will develop an economical and well-performing HEMPT LEO and GEO EPS to guarantee European leadership and competitiveness, as well as the non-dependence of European capabilities in electric propulsion.
This proposal falls under the CONFIDENTIALITY rules described in Section 5.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/730020
Start date: 01-01-2017
End date: 31-07-2021
Total budget - Public funding: 7 388 834,64 Euro - 5 278 391,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

HEMPT-NG addresses the topic COMPET-3-2016-a on Incremental Technologies part of the SRC electrical propulsion in line with the EPIC roadmap “to increase the competitiveness of EP systems developed in Europe” by developing an integrated solution based on HEMPT (Highly Efficient Multistage Plasma Thruster) , the fluidic management system, and the power processing unit.
The proposed development will raise the performance of all components beyond current state-of-the-art. The results will offer an ideal EPS system for LEO application up to 700 W and for Telecom/Navigation application up 3 kW.
The HEMPT technology offers unique innovative features compared to other EP technologies and makes HEMP a key candidate to overcome all the currently identified deficiencies:
1. No discharge channel erosion leading to higher lifetimes of the thruster,
2. Acceleration voltages enabling a high specific Impulse (ISP) leading to a drastic reduction of propellant consumption,
3. Unique large range of thrust offer enormous flexibility,
4. Minimal complexity of concept providing an excellent basis for economic competitiveness.
The HEMPT-NG consortium is led by TES (Thales Electronic System GmbH), subsidiary of the Thales Group, worldwide leader in the development and production of space products, responsible for thruster equipment and integrated EPS. European industrial partners are: Thales, OHB, Airbus and Aerospazio, who bring their expertise in spacecraft mission studies, equipment development and testing capacities. The University of Greifswald will provide plasma simulation to support the thrusters developed. These eight partners in five European member-states (Germany, France, UK, Belgium, Italy) will develop an economical and well-performing HEMPT LEO and GEO EPS to guarantee European leadership and competitiveness, as well as the non-dependence of European capabilities in electric propulsion.
This proposal falls under the CONFIDENTIALITY rules described in Section 5.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

COMPET-3-2016-a

Update Date

27-10-2022
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.2. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP
H2020-EU.2.1. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
H2020-EU.2.1.6. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space
H2020-EU.2.1.6.1. Enabling European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation of the European space sector
H2020-EU.2.1.6.1.1. Safeguard and further develop a competitive, sustainable and entrepreneurial space industry and research community and strengthen European non-dependence in space systems
H2020-COMPET-2016
COMPET-3-2016-a SRC - In-Space electrical propulsion and station keeping - Incremental Technologies
H2020-EU.2.1.6.2. Enabling advances in space technology
H2020-COMPET-2016
COMPET-3-2016-a SRC - In-Space electrical propulsion and station keeping - Incremental Technologies