constellr’s Post

In space electrical interconnection applications, derating the wire is a complex task and indeed crucial due to constrained heat dissipation in space. Indeed, optimizing the wire gauges becomes a sensitive analysis to ensure efficiency within the mass budget as a substantial portion of spacecraft or payload mass is allocated to the wire harnesses (~ 6-13%) It would be beneficial to compare how different space agencies approach the derating the wires using an example as follows: Lets assume, the plan is to design and build a wire harness for a 3-phase rotary actuator with two primary and redundant heaters, PRTs. temperature sensor for output , hall sensors and so on which ends to up to a bundle of 26 conductors. Hear is the ampacity for the power wire gauge 20 at the maximum operating temperature 80°C. ESA (European Space Agency) is considered the most conservative space agency in this context. In matter of fact since the nominal current for the actuator is 3 Amp versus the 2.37 ampacity for ESA standard, the ESA wire harness design needs to consider using a 18 AWG wire which is more massive. Source: Analysis uses the new developed application software “EZDerate” .

Electric Propulsion News!! Last week after more than nine years the project EPIC Horizon Europe - "Electric Propulsion Innovation & Competitiveness", a program support activity lead by the European Space Agency - ESA and funded by the European Commission in the field of #ElectricPropulsion came to an end. Electric propulsion is a key enabling technology for future space activities which is why multiple projects were funded as part of a #StrategicResearchCluster in #Horizon2020 and #HorizonEurope. To go even further, we also funded electric propulsion activities in the Deutsche Raumfahrtagentur im DLR within the National Program for Space and Innovation to boost research and developments in Germany. As part of EPIC Horizon Europe consortium the Deutsche Raumfahrtagentur im DLR together with other European national space agencies (#ESA, #CDTI, #CNES, #ASI, #BELSPO, #UKSA) and industry associations (SME4SPACE and ASD-Eurospace) we supported the #StrategicResearchCluster by monitoring the research and development progress, mapping new global electric propulsion systems, roadmapping based on trends and needs, and disseminating information through workshops and public outreach. ❗ Here are the results for #Germany: the number of companies developing electric propulsion systems went from 2 to 7 in those nine years! ❗ Here is a list of German companies with current developments or already existing products: ArianeGroup: development of the #RIT1X (Low Power) and #RIT2X (Medium Power) based on Gridded Ion Thruster (GIT) technology. https://www.giesepp.com/ THALES DEUTSCHLAND GMBH: development of the #EV0 (Low Power), #EV1 (Medium Power) and #EV2 (High Power) based on High Efficiency Multistage Plasma (HEMP) technology. https://www.hempt-ng.eu/ Airbus Defence and Space: development of the #iFACT-10 (Very Low Power), #iFACT-300 (Low Power) and #iFACT-1000 (Medium Power) based on Advanced Cusp Field Thruster (ACFT) technology. https://www.epic-ifact.eu/ AI: Aerospace Innovation GmbH & Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM): development of the #IonJet (Very Low Power) based on a Gridded Ion Thruster (GIT) technology for small satellites. Morpheus Space: development of the #GO-2 (Very Low Power) based on Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) technology. Neutron Star Systems DE GmbH: development of the #SUPREME-5kW (Medium Power) and 100kW (Very High Power) based on Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster (MPD) technology. BERLIN SPACE Consortium: development of the #HET-2mN and 5mN (Very Low Power) based on Hall Effect Thruster (HET) technology. Not to forget the German companies providing components to the electric propulsion system such as AST Advanced Space Technologies GmbH with fluid management systems and ASP Equipment GmbH for Power Processing Units. All publicly available results of the EPIC Horizon Europe project can be found here: https://www.epic-src.eu/

Investigation of the Lifetime Limiting Effects Within Electrospray Thruster Spacecraft Propulsion at University of Southampton Supervisory Team:  Dr Charlie Ryan, Dr Alex Wittig Project description Typical high performance electric propulsion options for large satellites, such as gridded ion thrusters or Hall Effect thrusters, do not work well for nano satellites. Their efficiency falls considerably when scaled to the low power requirements of these smaller satellites, and in particular at the very low powers available on nanosatellite platforms such as CubeSats. Electrospray thrusters are an alternative form of electric propulsion for smaller satellites. They operate through the extraction of charged particles from a liquid contained within a porous structure, through the application of a high electric … Read More » Supervisory Team:  Dr Charlie Ryan, Dr Alex Wittig Project description Typical high performance electric propulsion options for large satellites, such as gridded ion thrusters or Hall Effect thrusters, do not work well for nano satellites. Their efficiency falls considerably when scaled to the low power requirements of these smaller satellites, and in particular at the very low powers available on nanosatellite platforms such as CubeSats. Electrospray thrusters ...

🚀 ESA's In-Space Transportation Proof-of-Concept 2: Pioneering In-Orbit Refilling European Space Agency - ESA is shaping the future of space logistics with its In-Space Transportation Proof-of-Concept 2 (PoC-2). This ambitious venture focuses on in-orbit cryogenic propellant storage and refilling, a crucial step towards a sustainable European in-orbit refilling ecosystem. Key Aspects of PoC-2: 🌌 PoC-2 aims to develop long-duration cryogenic propellant management and in-orbit refilling capabilities. 🛰️ The venture involves creating a system-of-systems with interoperable In-Space Transportation Vehicles (ISTVs). 🤖 These ISTVs will be capable of docking with spacecraft and cargo in-orbit, refilling themselves at orbital propellant depots, and performing multiple missions. Enabling a New Era in #SpaceTransportation: 🌍 ESA's vision includes a "hub and spoke" approach with reusable launchers and an in-space transportation network. 🔄 The focus is on making ISTVs evolve from expendable spacecraft to reusable space-tugs, enhancing the orbital economy. 🛠️ The venture will identify and mature critical building-blocks for in-orbit rendezvous, docking, refilling, and cargo transfer. Collaboration and Innovation: 🌐 ESA encourages collaboration among European #SpaceTech players to foster standardised interfaces and innovation. 💡 The venture aims to de-risk space transportation capabilities and promote an inclusive European space transportation ecosystem. 📅 PoC-2 will explore fluidic aspects like cryogenic propellant storage, lines connection and propellant transfer. Join the Venture: 📝 ESA invites ideas, insights, and expertise from industry leaders to shape PoC-2 and contribute to the European SpaceTech ecosystem. 🤝 This campaign is an opportunity for primes and technology providers to engage in a transformative project for in-space transportation. 🔗 Learn more about this groundbreaking initiative and how you can contribute: https://smpl.is/8dmyu Are you a #startup, #investor, or industry player passionate about #NewSpace? Follow Einstein Industries Ventures to stay updated on the latest innovations and breakthroughs in our #space! #ESA #SpaceTech #InSpaceTransportation #InOrbitRefilling #CryogenicPropellant #SpaceLogistics #SpaceInnovation #EuropeanSpaceAgency #SpaceMission #EinsteinIVv #NewSpace

3d satellites satellite prototypes CubeSat. The design includes a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, a Boston Micromachines Mini-DM, and an internal laser diode light source and external aperture for imaging bright stars. (a) Top view of the optical payload. (b) The optical payload integrated into a 3U CubeSat (left half), along with boards and components to support the power, communications, avionics, and attitude control subsystems. QWP: Quarter Wave Plate. PBS: Polarizing beam splitter. NPBS: Non-polarizing beam splitter. f: Focal length. We have developed a CubeSat-scale SH WFS that can accommodate a MEMS DM and controller to characterize its long-term performance in orbit. The goal is to create a platform that enables rapid evaluation and development of DM technology for future space telescope applications (e.g., the search for Earth-sized exoplanets). We continue to develop and test a payload prototype in the laboratory. We will evaluate the wavefront reconstruction and accuracy of the MEMS DM characterization, as well as refine the system models with perturbation sensitivity analysis. Cr: Maiva Industries

3d satellites satellite prototypes CubeSat. The design includes a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, a Boston Micromachines Mini-DM, and an internal laser diode light source and external aperture for imaging bright stars. (a) Top view of the optical payload. (b) The optical payload integrated into a 3U CubeSat (left half), along with boards and components to support the power, communications, avionics, and attitude control subsystems. QWP: Quarter Wave Plate. PBS: Polarizing beam splitter. NPBS: Non-polarizing beam splitter. f: Focal length. We have developed a CubeSat-scale SH WFS that can accommodate a MEMS DM and controller to characterize its long-term performance in orbit. The goal is to create a platform that enables rapid evaluation and development of DM technology for future space telescope applications (e.g., the search for Earth-sized exoplanets). We continue to develop and test a payload prototype in the laboratory. We will evaluate the wavefront reconstruction and accuracy of the MEMS DM characterization, as well as refine the system models with perturbation sensitivity analysis. Cr: Maiva Industries

The LEO satellite market is likely to grow from more than US $4 billion in 2022 to nearly $7 billion in 2031, according to Business Research Insights. Although the market is growing, the number of engineers and technologists who understand the complicated systems is not. That’s why in 2021 IEEE launched the Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites and Systems (LEO SatS) project under the leadership of Witold Kinsner. The IEEE Fellow is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Manitoba, Canada, and past vice president of IEEE Educational Activities.The scope of the project is not to start a new space-related movement but to coordinate and expand the existing activities. #connectivity  #connectivitymatters #military #communications #cybersecurity #newspace #newspaceeconomy #strategy #constellations #satellite #space #satelliteoperatos #satcoms #intersatellitelinks #laser #satellitesystems #satelliteoperations #ops #opsec #telecommunications #spaceindustry #LowEarthOrbit #sda #megaconstellations #spaceindustry #esa #nasa #eu #europe #defense #digitaldivide  #resilience #oneweb #starlink #spacex #telesat #lightspeed  #milsatcom #govsatcom #sda #spacecraft #internetofthings #mpower #ses #mda #kuiper #rivada #espace #5g #development #spacedata  #iris2  #MichaelHadjitheodosiou https://lnkd.in/gDQmaw_4