Hall Thruster Propellants: Finding the Best Fit
In the context of chemical propulsion, the selection of materials is informed by a range of considerations, including their thermal and chemical properties...
The Horizon Europe project
CHEOPS VHP BB
Very High-Power Building Blocks
The aim of the project
CHEOPS Very High-Power
Building Blocks
The project aims to complement ongoing thruster-focused development activities with research and development on the actual future use of VHP Hall thruster systems: overall system architecture against various mission use cases, robust and cost-effective approach to qualification, manufacturability of critical components subject to wear, typically the discharge chamber and cathode and the ability to envisage alternative propellants and power sources.
Mission use case building block
Define detailed throttle profiles for a range of exploratory and IOS missions that will use very high power (VHP) Hall thrusters.
Architectural building blocks
Determine the most suitable architecture for VHP Hall thruster systems depending on the mission scenario, and compatible with a wide operational range.
Qualification building blocks
Establish recommendations to reduce uncertainties on failure mechanism models and identify appropriate diagnostic techniques.
Technology building blocks
Demonstrate the feasibility of using additive manufacturing techniques to produce a large discharge chamber. Improve the maturity up to TRL6 of a 50/100A cathode.
Linked projects
CHEOPS MP & LP projects
Electric propulsion systems (EPS) use electrical power to accelerate a propellant. Compared to chemical propellants, they are very lightweight and highly efficient. The EU-funded projects CHEOPS MP and CHEOPS LP aim to innovate in the field of propulsion systems and increase Europe’s competitiveness in the satellite market.
CHEOPS Medium Power
CHEOPS Low Power
CHEOPS VHP BB
consortium partners
From CHEOPS VHP BB consortium
Latest News & Updates
CHEOPS very high-power building block: Mission analysis
Horizon Europe project CHEOPS VHP BB consortium partner Thales Alenia Space...