GIESEPP project
The EU Horizon 2020 program granted to the GIESEPP (Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propulsion Platforms) consortium a contract in the frame of EPIC program to develop a modular standardized Gridded Ion Engine System (GIESEPP), including Gridded Ion Engines (GIE), Power Processing Unit (PPU), Xenon Propellant Management System (XPMS) and Neutraliser Cathodes, to meet the future needs of the competitive GEO Telecoms and LEO Constellation markets.
The aim of the project was to build and test to TRL5 the first European Plug and Play Gridded Ion Engine System to operate ArianeGroup and QinetiQ Space Ion Engines for LEO, GEO and Space Exploration Missions.
GIESEPP MP Kick off Meeting
The project GIESEPP MP aims to foster Europe’s competitiveness in the global satellite market by continuing the work started within the GIESEPP project in 2017. With the successful kick off meeting in January 2021, the consortium started to finalize the development of medium power Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propulsion Platform.
Milestone – Decision Key Point on Requirements
With a slightly modified setup compared to GIESEPP, the GIESEPP MP consortium has performed several tasks during the first months of the project. Technically one of the very first tasks was to update and align the Electric Propulsion requirements both on system and component level.
Project GIESEPP MP 2nd review meeting
Horizon 2020 project GIESEPP MP 2nd review meeting took place on the 27th of July in Madrid, Spain, on the premises of project partner Airbus Crisa.
The Horizon 2020 project GIESEPP MP started on January 2021, when various restrictions due to COVID-19 took place around Europe, and travelling or any other gathering was impossible. Thus, this was the first project review meeting where the partners could meet and discuss the project implementation and advancements in person.
The PHV Critical Design Review (CDR)
AIRBUS Crisa, with the support of GIESEPP MP consortium presented, in a Critical Design Review, the Positive High Voltage Supply of its new generation of Power Processing Units (PPU) for Gridded Ion Thrusters. With this design, the RIT 2X system will become even more competitive thanks to the breakthrough reduction in cost, weight and dimensions of the PPU. The new power source design implements state of the art technologies to be more efficient, compact and price competitive than its predecessors.
The critical design review of the AIRBUS Crisa Positive High Voltage power source has been a success and the hardware will become a reality in the upcoming months.
The RIT2X Thruster Critical Design Review (CDR)
A significant milestone of the project GIESEPP MP has been achieved with the successful passing of the Critical Design Review for the RIT2X thruster. This updated product design will serve as the foundation for industrial-scale production of the RIT2X thruster, which will soon undergo validation and qualification testing. In the coming weeks and months, the design and all sub-components of the thruster will be rigorously tested through various campaigns. GIESEPP MP will contribute to the qualification process by conducting functional and performance tests of the thruster, as well as its validation in an electric propulsion platform coupling test. Simultaneously, the industrialization strategy will be further refined to ensure competitive market pricing.
RIT2X Thruster Functional & Performance Test
As part of the verification and validation activities, the RIT2X thruster has been successfully tested by ArianeGroup and the Justus-Liebig University of Giessen (JLU). JLU's variety of vacuum chambers, advanced instrumentation capabilities, and expertise in plasma physics and measurement techniques provide an ideal environment for electric propulsion (EP) testing. In this setting, the RIT2X thruster has demonstrated its capability to operate within the required range for telecommunication applications and is now ready for integration into the Electric Propulsion System (EPS).
Final testing campaign - EPS coupling test
The Horizon 2020 project GIESEPP MP has reached a significant milestone with the completion of its final testing phase, known as the EPS (Electric Propulsion System) Coupling Test, which took place throughout October at the Aerospazio premises in Rapolano Terme, Italy. This test campaign brought together the collaborative efforts of key project partners: Airbus Defence and Space (DS), ArianeGroup, Airbus Crisa, and Aerospazio.
Celebrating the success of GIESEPP MP's final review meeting
As the GIESEPP MP project concludes, we’re proud to share that the Final Review Meeting was a resounding success! The meeting brought together all members of the consortium in a hybrid format, combining both in-person and virtual participation.
During this significant event, the consortium presented the final results of the project and engaged in productive discussions about its achievements and future impacts. The collaborative spirit and shared passion for advancing propulsion technology were evident throughout the meeting.
Final presentation by the consortium experts
Following the meeting, the experts from the project consortium delivered the final presentation, showcasing the key results, milestones, and breakthroughs achieved during the project. This presentation was a culmination of the hard work, dedication, and innovation of everyone involved.
The success of this meeting underscores the collaborative achievements of the GIESEPP MP project and sets the stage for future advancements in modular propulsion systems.
Thank you to all who contributed to making this journey extraordinary.