Ice2Thrust.Space (S4I2T) is an EU-funded project (GA number 101161690) that seeks to develop a next generation solar electric water propulsion system. The project started on 1 September 2024 and spans 36 months, with the ambitious goal of achieving several breakthroughs in solar-powered propulsion technology, addressing key technological challenges and bottlenecks. The project seeks to offer a high-performance platform enabling autonomous spacecraft docking and propellant refilling, promoting economic and environmental sustainability, and facilitating in-orbit servicing, robotics, and in-space manufacturing. Furthermore, the project explores in-space water extraction and utilization from celestial bodies, contributing to a self-sustaining circular space economy based on solar energy harvesting. To achieve its goals, the project will develop and run laboratory demonstrations of innovative technological building blocks as follows: 

1. Solar-Electric Water Electrolysis Propulsion: Utilising water as a propellant, decomposed by an electrolyser into hydrogen and oxygen for subsequent use in a thruster, this system aims to achieve the highest specific impulse (ISP) of all storable chemical propulsion systems. Water's non-toxicity, versatility, and availability make it a cost-effective choice, while solar energy powers the electrolyser. 

2. Autonomous Proximity/Docking Operations and Propellant Refilling: Leveraging machine learning and the available gaseous propellants, water significantly simplifies in-orbit refilling, reducing launch mass and extending satellite lifetimes. This supports in-orbit servicing and assembly, enabling a holistic space mobility architecture. 

3. In-Space Water Extraction and Utilization: Demonstrating the world’s first In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) end-to-end process chain, in which water is extracted from icy regolith and subsequently used by a Solar-Electric Water Propulsion System, effectively turning ice into thrust. The combination of water extraction from celestial bodies with the two other elements enables a selfsustainable space mobility infrastructure and long-term earth-independent spacecraft operations. 

Ultimately, the project strives to position Europe as a leader in solar-energy-powered space mobility, fostering a self-sustaining space economy. Ice2Thrust.Space has a strong interdisciplinary dimension and is utilising the extensive expertise ranging from system engineering to electrochemistry to robotics and propulsion, which all of the project partners contribute to the consortium - TUM, EnduroSat, University of Luxembourg, and Tech Tour.

The Professorship of Lunar and Planetary Exploration focuses on step 3: Development and experimental demonstration of water extraction, capture and purification. 

Website: https://ice2thrust.space