ACT - Propulsion

Propulsion

Past Projects

Dual-stage Gridded Ion Thruster (DS4G)

A new concept for an advanced “Dual-Stage 4-Grid” (DS4G) ion thruster has been proposed and tested. It is able to operate at very high specific impulse, power and thrust density values.

Electrodynamic Tether

An alternative novel mission concept has been recently conceived based on conductive tethers providing both power and propulsion at Jupiter to allow a cost-effective tour of the Jovian system including rendezvous with the moons Io and Europa.

Helicon Radiofrequency Plasma Thrusters

High-density plasma is produced by the use of a helical radio frequency antenna to ionise neutral gas in a tube closed at one end. The helical antenna excites the gas to dissociate electrons and generate highly energetic ions.

Nuclear fusion propulsion systems

The exploration of the solar system requires advanced propulsion techniques capable of high specific impulse and high specific power. Fusion is the most interesting option to meet these requirements.

Advanced Injectors for Chemical Rockets Inspired by Ink-jet Printing Technology

Injection is a key process realising feedback couplings of the combustion chamber with other engine components.

Mission and System Design

Mission concepts exploiting advanced propulsion currently under internal study within ACT. Mission and system design are optimised according to particular mission requirements (e.g. minimum transfer time).

Micropropulsion systems

Is it possible to reduce the dimensions of propulsion systems to chip size? The combination of MEMS, Nanotechnology discipliens together with a Propulsion point of view are taken as starting point for innovative systems.

System design of a swarm component

Recent trends in the space community for smaller, cheaper and more frequent space missions are driving the development of nano- and pico-spacecraft, which are considered for large constellations or swarm formations.

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