Copernical Team
Image: Pinhole propulsion for satellites
A palm-sized propulsion option for future space missions: Each one of these seven emitter arrays etched onto this silicon wafer using micro- and nano-technology possesses more than 500 pinhole-sized emitters that spray out ions, accelerated via an electrostatic field to maximize thrust.
Inherently scalable, this "electrospray" technology is being developed as a cost- and mass-effective method of propelling CubeSats and other small satellites. For the first time in Europe, this ionic-liquid based electrospray propulsion system has achieved more than 400 hours of continuous operation.
"Everyone knows that 'space is hard,' but we like to say that 'propulsion is harder,'" comments Daniel Pérez Grande, CEO & Co-founder of IENAI Space in Spain, who is developing the technology for ESA. "Developing a new technology, which we have built from scratch, has been no easy feat, but we are confident that our propulsion products will stand out in the market for their incredible performance and customization capabilities; and in fact we have already been approached by a number of interested parties in the industry."
Known as ATHENA (Adaptable THruster based on Electrospray powered by Nanotechnology), this system is one of three currently being developed by ESA to harness electrospray propulsion for space.
Hyguane: green hydrogen for Ariane 6, Europe's Spaceport and more
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The start of a more sustainable production facility to create hydrogen fuel for Ariane 6 – Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket – is underway.
Project HYGUANE – a portmanteau of the French words for hydrogen, French Guiana and the local Iguanas – is a €40.5M investment in a solar farm and distribution systems, being designed to be allowed to easily expand in the future.
Hyguane signing ceremony at the Jupiter Control Room in French Guiana
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The start of a more sustainable production facility to create hydrogen fuel for Ariane 6 – Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket – is underway.
Project HYGUANE – a portmanteau of the French words for hydrogen, French Guiana and the local Iguanas – is a €40.5M investment in a solar farm, distribution systems and is being designed to be allowed to easily expand in the future.
After three years of studies, the project started on 21 December 2023 with the signing of the consortium agreement between the parties involved: four companies – Air Liquide, SARA, MT-Aerospace and BEBLUE; three universities – Université de Guyane, Université de Liège, Université Libre
Signing ceremony kicks off start of Hyguane green hydrogen project
Image:
The start of a more sustainable production facility to create hydrogen fuel for Ariane 6 – Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket – is underway.
Project HYGUANE – a portmanteau of the French words for hydrogen, French Guiana and the local Iguanas – is a €40.5M investment in a solar farm, distribution systems and is being designed to be allowed to easily expand in the future.
After three years of studies, the project started on 21 December 2023 with the signing of the consortium agreement between the parties involved: four companies – Air Liquide, SARA, MT-Aerospace and BEBLUE; three universities – Université de Guyane, Université de Liège, Université Libre
Green hydrogen for Ariane 6 and more
Happy holidays from ESA’s Hera asteroid detective!
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Wishing you all the best for Christmas 2023 and a happy new year! This is a very special holiday season for ESA’s Hera asteroid detective and her two CubeSats – Milani the rock decoder and Juventas the radar visionary – because this is the last one they will enjoy on planet Earth. This time next year the trio of friends will be off on their adventure to explore Didymos, a double asteroid system that is typical of the thousands that pose an impact risk to planet Earth.
Find out more about Hera and her CubeSats by watching our
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