The ERFTM project aims to develop new European manufacturing processes for preparing material components of power amplifiers based on Travelling Wave Tubes for space and ground applications using raw materials not governed by Export Restriction comprising an helix made with flat ribbon maintained by ceramic support rods. The studies will advance work from TRL3 to TRL6, in compliance with the non-dependence action “U7-Power Amplification Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) materials” as described in the revised Joint Task Force (European Commission-ESA-EDA) draft document of the Critical Space Technologies for European Strategic Non-Dependence Actions for 2015/2017. The main applications of these power amplifiers are space satellites and ground applications such as telecommunications. The ERFTM project will specify, develop, test and qualify the export restriction free helix wire materials on the one hand and the export restriction free dielectric materials for helix support rods on the other hand. Both will be subjected to a complete qualification process for space tubes and terrestrial communication tubes, as well as a commercial evaluation of the technologies involved. The ERFTM consortium includes 2 European large enterprises from the Thales Group, worldwide leaders in space TWT development and production, 1 industrial company and 2 SMEs. The latter 3 companies are innovative technology providers not yet involved in the space domain. In addition, 1 research laboratory with metallurgy and characterization expertise is a full partner. These partners are present in 3 European member-states, and join their expertise to successfully tackle the formidable challenges of the ERFTM project. Given its focus on developing materials to avoid export restrictions imposed by certain non-European countries, the ERFTM project is requested to be treated as EU CONFIDENTIAL.

The European Direct-Drive Architecture (EDDA) project aims at optimizing the power chain efficiency of a spacecraft using electric propulsion, which is at the heart of technological roadmaps for future spacecraft. The objective is to develop, build and test a demonstrator of a high voltage and high power direct-drive concept. This innovative architecture supplies directly electric thrusters by a 300V-400V Solar Array without power conversion vs 28-100V in the current state of the art. The advantages are to remove power converters, to save mass, dissipation and cost, and to improve significantly the overall efficiency and reduce the thermal dissipation. In addition, at satellite level, it corresponds to a reduction of thrust duration, saving mission time. The ability of the concept to be applied to various thrusters technologies is key to maximize the impact of the architecture. Therefore this study is based on a transversal aspect of Electric Propulsion to be demonstrated on two different Electric Thruster technologies: Hall Effect Thruster (HET) from Sitael (Italy) and High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster (HEMPT) from Thales-D (Germany). EDDA demonstration is based on a thruster plasma analysis (UC3M, Spain). Cathod Reference Point electronics, HET, vacuum chamber for complete testing are provided by Sitael. The bus voltage control loop and associated hardware are designed and manufactured by TAS-B. Coordination at satellite level is performed by TAS-F. Efficient Innovation provides effective management and associated tools. Tests will follow real operational conditions: no Sun, variation of illumination, thruster start-up and switch off, quick variation of consumption, and will demonstrate the robustness of this architecture easily adaptable to spacecraft (telecommunication satellites for Electric Orbit Raising reduction, In Orbit Servicing and Space-tugs, interplanetary carriers).

The objective of the HEMPT-NG2 consortium is to continue to develop, simulate, build and qualify the High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster – Next Generation (HEMPT-NG2) system, with the application to operate a LEO-Thruster for use of station keeping, orbit raising and orbit manoeuvring of satellites in constellations. The HEMPT-NG2 project will contribute to increase the competitiveness of space electrical propulsion systems developed in Europe by developing an integrated solution based on the HEMPT (Highly Efficient Multistage Plasma Thruster) technology for the different LEO satellites. This project will increase the capacity to compete within a worldwide market in term of cost, performances and production capacity. The availability of such competitive electrical propulsion system is a key to the success of the European space sector and the emerging space applications. HEMPT-NG will also reduce dependency to foreign supplier to ensure an independent access to space in Europe. So the interest of the whole consortium (Aerospazio Tecnologie SARL, ASP & Space GmbH, University Greiswald, Thales Alenia Space Belgium, Thales Alenia Space UK and Thales Germany) is to increase the competitiveness of space electrical propulsion systems developed in Europe by developing an integrated solution based on the HEMPT technology for the LEO satellites. The HEMPT technology has significant advantages compared to the other electrical propulsion technologies that are currently available (Hall effect thrusters and Grid ion thrusters). The lower mass and the ability to choose between high thrust and low propellant consumption operations will allow lighter or more powerful satellites. Low erosion will significantly improve the life duration of the thrusters. And finally the replacement of the xenon by the krypton that is more common in the atmosphere will lower the economic and ecological cost for satellite propellant.

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.

The high-level objective of TAURO is to identify, analyse and finally propose suitable founding technologies for the future European automated and autonomous rail transport, to be further developed, certified and deployed through the activities planned for the European Partnership for Transforming Europe’s Rail System. To achieve this, TAURO is divided into four technical WPs, following the scope of the call, that each deal with separate system elements, with each contributing to the overall goal of the project. These four areas of work are; • Environment perception for automation • Remote driving and command • Automatic status monitoring and diagnostic for autonomous trains • Technologies supporting migration to ATO over ETCS These technical WPs will be supported by a comprehensive dissemination and exploitation WP that will guarantee the results from TAURO are communicated to the necessary stakeholders, standards and regulatory bodies to ensure that the future policy and technical decisions are taken on the basis of the science and research performed in TAURO, and more important, who guarantee the coherence with other Shift2Rail ongoing activities and assure a seamless bridging between TAURO and the next initiative within Horizon Europe, Transforming Europe’s Rail System.