Very High-Power Building Blocks
This project was active from 1 January 2023 – 31 March 2026.
Project CHEOPS VHP BB has been successfully concluded – you can still find project results on this website and Zenodo.
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.
Define detailed throttle profiles for a range of exploratory and IOS missions that will use very high power (VHP) Hall thrusters.
Determine the most suitable architecture for VHP Hall thruster systems depending on the mission scenario, and compatible with a wide operational range.
Establish recommendations to reduce uncertainties on failure mechanism models and identify appropriate diagnostic techniques.
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.
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.
