Implemented OSIP ideas — March 2021

Open Discovery Ideas Channel

In March 2021, the following ideas were implemented through the Open Discovery Ideas Channel.

--------------------------------------------------

Additive manufacturing of intricate reaction bonded silicon carbide components for aerospace applications

KU Leuven

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Bio-inspired morphing wing UAV for deployment from HAPS and orbit

Stellar Advanced Concepts

Inspired by the flight of the peregrine falcon, this early technology development project is creating a proof-of-concept unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with shape-shifting wings. Once released from a satellite in orbit or a high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS), the UAV would descend to specific altitudes to, for example, observe natural disaster areas or carry out search and rescue operations. The UAV could drop payloads, including medical packs, survival equipment and atmospheric samples. It could also be deployed on another planet for planetary exploration.

--------------------------------------------------

Inflatable Mars habitat and Moonbase

Pneumocell

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

European SPace DEbris Suppression (e-Spades)

Tor Vergata University of Rome

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Development of high-accuracy millimetre-wave components through lithography metal manufacturing (LMM)

Fraunhofer IFAM

This early technology development project aims to assess the applicability of a novel metal-based 3D printing technology called Lithography-based Metal Manufacturing (LMM), to develop highly integrated millimetre-wave passive components for multi-beam and multi-band instruments on board Earth observation and communications satellites. The main benefits of LMM compared to existing metal-based powder-bed 2D printing technologies are lower surface roughness and higher accuracy.

--------------------------------------------------

Sub nano-g MEMS accelerometer for high precision orbital manoeuvres

Innoseis

In its 2019 technology roadmap, ESA identified high accuracy accelerometers as a priority, but current products are not able to deliver. This early technology development project is designing a novel type of accelerometer using concepts originally developed for gravitational wave detector physics. The new accelerometers would drive down power consumption and costs without compromising on performance. Benefits for spacecraft include improved navigational capabilities, the ability to perform more accurate manouevres and reduced propellant consumption.

--------------------------------------------------

Active Multibeam Flexible Antennas for New space Technology (AMFANT)

INSA Rennes

Active antennas – that can change position, shape and power – are interesting for the space industry because they would enable, for example, multiple satellites to be tracked simultaneously. But they are expensive, complex, and inefficient in terms of power. Co-funded by ESA and INSA Rennes, this project aims to conceive new, affordable active antennas suited for small satellites, investigate the use of high frequencies to improve accommodation and capacity, and increase European competitiveness in this strategic market.

--------------------------------------------------

Amorphous metals, a game changer to improve the efficiency of space cryocoolers

Vulkam

Many space instruments need to be kept at very low temperatures to work effectively; this is achieved using cryogenic coolers. ESA is interested in increasing the efficiency of cryogenic coolers. One of the main causes of a lack of efficiency is heat loss. Vulkam has developed a new range of materials with mechanical and thermal properties that could reduce this heat loss. This early technology development project will assess the potential of these new materials in compact space cryocoolers.

--------------------------------------------------

Reliable Signal Processing Datapaths Design Using Control Techniques Based on Difference Equation Models (RESPECT-DEM)

Polytechnic University of Timisoara

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Feasibility of germanium-on-silicon CCD development

Teledyne E2V

Silicon charge-coupled devices are the current workhorse detector for visible wavelength space imaging and spectroscopy missions. However, in practice they are limited to a maximum wavelength of one micrometre. With the addition of a germanium sensing layer, this could be extended to 1.7 micrometres, opening up more applications on the ground and in space. This study will explore the feasibility of implementing germanium onto silicon for CCDs, the potential performance, and how such technology could be implemented.

--------------------------------------------------

Earth observation and AI for Arctic sea ice concentration mapping

Technical University of Denmark

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction

The following ideas were implemented through the OSIP Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction Campaign.

--------------------------------------------------

A novel Lithography Metal Manufacturing (LMM) process to produce highly accurate parts from recycled powders from scrap metals on the Moon

OHB

Future Moon bases will need a supply of small metal objects. These are difficult to bring from Earth, so using existing lunar surface material and recycling Moon base materials is the only option for a sustainable settlement. This early technology development project aims to develop a new 3D printing technique that can use recycled metal available at Moon bases. The technique would provide higher flexibility in accepting raw material with poor quality and purity and would also be advantageous for smaller, more complex parts.

--------------------------------------------------

Optimised thermal storage for electricity generation

Azimut Space

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Closing the loop on polymers 3D printing: 3D printer using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process able to produce parts in vacuum conditions using recycled filaments

Azimut Space

Long-term human presence in space will require on-orbit and on-planet manufacturing. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is the safest and most mature additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology on Earth and in space; it has already been tested under low gravity conditions onboard the International Space Station. This early technology development project aims to take FFF a step further by understanding how it works in a vacuum with high-performance polymers, and whether it is suitable for processing the filaments provided by a recycled system.

--------------------------------------------------

Off-Earth manufacturing of crop-friendly lunar greenhouses

NTNU Samfunnsforskning

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Paving the road for large area sintering of regolith

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung

Read about this public idea in OSIP

--------------------------------------------------

Energy-efficient regolith compactor for surface construction

Astronika

One of the immediate needs for a successful Moon base is constructing landing pads, berms and roads, which would enable more complex space resources activities. Currently, such construction is envisaged with heavy 'terrestrial-like' equipment. This early technology development project proposes to reduce mass and energy requirements by using 'percussion-based plate compaction' techniques that rely on the accumulation of potential energy and its subsequent release. Such a technique could compact and level the lunar surface without using binders.

--------------------------------------------------

Electrical plug and socket for lunar and martian applications

Maana Electric

A large scale lunar or martian base will most likely require an operating electrical micro grid network. This comes with one key complexity – the connection of systems that require power with the systems that produce power. On Earth, this has been solved with standardised plugs and sockets. With this early technology development project, Maana Electric proposes to create a similar solution for space, taking into consideration aspects such as dust, temperature swings, and the users of the plug.

--------------------------------------------------

Remote Sensing of Plastic Marine Litter

The following idea was implemented through the OSIP Remote Sensing of Plastic Marine Litter Campaign.

--------------------------------------------------

Detecting riverine plastic conglomerations, fluxes and pathways in Indonesia

Deltares

Most plastic that enters the ocean comes via rivers. The objective of this early technology development project is to assess the detection of heavy plastic pollution in rivers through satellite imaging and to demonstrate how satellite imaging can enhance the quantification and monitoring of plastic entering the marine environment. The idea is centred around a multi-sensor method, where images from different sensors onboard different satellites are analysed. The results will inform the designs of future ESA missions.

--------------------------------------------------