Avant Space Propulsion Systems: Ion Thruster for small satellite manoeuvring
Russian start-up Avant Space Propulsion Systems aim is to boost economic effectiveness for satellite missions and supporting commercial market development, with their Ion Thruster targeting the small satellite market. Meet Avant Space Propulsion Systems at ESA's Start-ups Zone powered by ESA space solutions at IAC 2018.
Avant Space 'has developed the GT-50 Ion Thruster that allows reducing the power consumed per mN of thrust significantly compared to existing solutions. This broadens the range of possible applications of the thruster in various space missions. Compact and lightweight thruster with low consumption might be used in space missions with low power capabilities and limited volume available.
Avant Space 'has developed the GT-50 Ion Thruster that allows reducing the power consumed per mN of thrust significantly compared to existing solutions. This broadens the range of possible applications of the thruster in various space missions. Compact and lightweight thruster with low consumption might be used in space missions with low power capabilities and limited volume available.
Proprietary Hybrid Engine Technology
The thruster can be used for phasing, orbit raising, station-keeping and de-orbiting. The main advantages of the thruster are high specific impulse (up to 3500 s), high energy efficiency and long lifetime.
The GT-50 ion thruster can be easily integrated into a spacecraft along with the subsystems developed by Avant Space, including Neutralizer, Power processing and control system, Propellant supply and storage system and Mechanical and thermal interfaces.
Project Development Plan
The main activity of Avant Space is satellite propulsion system development. The experimental laboratories are situated at Lomonosov Moscow State University and at Moscow Aviation Institute. The company uses state-of-art methods of modelling physical processes and engineering design in order to reach outstanding performance of their hardware. The company is supported by the Skolkovo Foundation.
The plan for the developed of the GT-50 Ion Thruster until test flight includes:
2018 Laboratory Model Development:
- Configuring thruster parameters, elaborating technological solutions
- Searching industrial partners for engineering model manufacturing
- Performing calibration tests
- Working out Statement of Works for thruster subsystems
2019 Engineering Model Development:
- Power supply and control unit development
- Propellant storage and delivery system development
- Neutralizer unitdevelopment
- Performing qualification tests for engineering model
2020 Prototype Development:
- Establishing industrial processes in accordance with international norms
- Adapting design concepts to space mission requirements
- Running full cycle of preflight tests
2021 Test Flights:
- Performing a thruster burn in a space mission
Currently the start-up is also working on getting additional investments, reinforcing the team with new specialists and negotiating with satellite manufacturers and executing preliminary contracts.
Avant Space Propulsion Systems Team
The key members of the Avant Space team are:
- Anton Ossovskiy, CEO and Founder. Took part in development for DX-1 satellite by Dauria Aerospace and was Head of Sales for the aerospace parts producer OKB Fifth Generation.
- Sergey Khartov, Chief Research Officer. D.Sc. in physics and mathematics and has a vast experience in RF thrusters and plasma physics.
- Yana Kharlan, Senior Project Manager
- Vladimir Kozhevnikov, Ph.D, Senior Researcher
- Ivan Cherniy, System Engineer
- Rodion Ayupov, Mechanical Engineer
- Alexander Surminskiy, Circuit and Radio Engineer
- Ruslan Rakhimov, Numerical Modelling Specialist
World's largest ecosystem for space-related entrepreneurship
ESA’s Technology Transfer and Business Incubation Programme Office (TTPO) operates the ‘ESA space solutions’ network of Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) and Technology Transfer Brokers offering complete access to all aspects of space-related innovation, technology and intellectual properties and is a gateway to ESA and European space research and developments.
Today, there are 20 ESA BICs in 17 European countries – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and UK – forming the largest ecosystem in the world for space-related entrepreneurship.
Over 650 start-ups have been fostered and another 150 new start-ups are taken in yearly at ESA BICs to be supported under the two-years business development boosting programme.
Visit “Start-ups Zone powered by ESA space solutions”
Meet all the start-ups from 1 October until 5 October at the dedicated Start-ups Zone powered by ESA space solutions at IAC 2018 area at IAC 2018.
Avant Space Propulsion Systems entrepreneurs will be at the Start-ups Zone at IAC 2018 from 3 October noon until 5 October, and be pitching their business 4 October.
