SPARK is the world's first centre for innovative space propulsion tailored to universities & start-ups
Research Profile
Space propulsion systems are both the decisive cost factor and the key technology that determines flexible access to space. In the field of launch vehicles, Europe is facing major challenges, as US competitors are continuously renewing their propulsion systems for launch vehicles and constantly reducing the cost of access to space. Reusability, a means of reducing costs and increasing sustainability, is based on return strategies, which usually involve a powered flight. However, the rocket propulsion systems currently available in Europe are not designed for this and are unsuitable. Without losing sight of the improvement of conventional systems, the main focus of research must nevertheless be on the question of how access to space can be rethought and realised today.
However, access to space is only one of the aspects that need to be addressed. With the growing number of systems in space and the increasing complexity of the requirements placed on these systems, the operational effort required to control and monitor them from the ground is also increasing.
More flexible and increasingly autonomous and intelligent systems are therefore needed. These systems must be able to algorithmically determine and implement the best course of action on their own - for example, to avoid collisions with other systems. This requires technical solutions that offer operational manoeuvring strategies (analogous to ‘right before left’) and thus take into account the future increase in space traffic (e.g. large satellites, small and micro satellites, rocket systems, space debris).
The diversification of space platforms and the emergence of smaller satellites, as well as the miniaturisation of key technologies such as power generators and chips, have also facilitated access to space for small and medium-sized companies offering innovative space-based solutions for non-space applications. At the same time, the ongoing trend towards standardisation, the best example of which is the CubeSat standard, has led to a large number of smaller satellites being launched and many more planned for the next decade.
However, not all technologies and subsystems have been equally developed and advanced. Although space propulsion is an important prerequisite for any space activity, propulsion systems, unlike other subsystems, have not seen the same level of innovation. In fact, there are not readily available commercial off-the-shelf solutions for propulsion systems for all thrust ranges required for access to space, return from space and in-space activities. In addition, most propulsion systems in use today are either based on storable but toxic propellants or lack the required flexibility. For this reason, space propulsion remains a barrier to the development of a wide range of applications and activities and to enabling the new era of space mobility that is upon us.
From a systems perspective, the following innovations in space propulsion and space transport will lead to further technological leaps in the near future:
- Full autonomy and hardware-in-the-loop based on predictive health monitoring, autonomous control and maintenance of space systems and their subsystems;
- COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) propulsion systems using clean propellants for small satellite buses to (a) increase their business value and (b) eliminate their contribution to the space debris problem by deorbiting them at the end of their lifetime, thus contributing to collision avoidance;
- Transport, refuelling and maintenance in orbit;
- Reducing the cost of electric propulsion systems, including adapting to more conventional propellants that are more accessible and less expensive (including air-powered systems) and increasing the flexibility of propulsion systems for access to space to enable return scenarios.
SPARK's research and innovation goals
SPARK's research and innovation goals are derived from the challenges mentioned above:
