The GIESEPP Medium Power consortium, funded under the European Union Horizon 2020 programme, is organising its final webinar to share the outcomes and achievements of its innovative work in the field of electric space propulsion. Scheduled for November 20 at 17:00 CET on Webex, this webinar represents a key milestone for the project, highlighting its advancements and offering insights into the technology that will shape the future of efficient and adaptable space propulsion systems.
The GIESEPP MP project builds on the success of its predecessor, the GIESEPP (Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propulsion Platform) project, by aiming to deliver a pre-qualified and adaptable electric space propulsion system, ready for commercial use. The consortium, consisting of industry leaders such as ArianeGroup, Airbus SAS and Airbus Crisa, Justus Liebig University Giessen, and AEROSPAZIO Tecnologie S.r.l., has made significant strides in developing a propulsion platform that achieves high fuel efficiency, reduced launch costs, and a streamlined “off-the-shelf” adaptability that caters to both commercial and scientific space missions.
In this webinar, project coordinator Christian Knorr of ArianeGroup will introduce the GIESEPP MP project, providing a comprehensive overview of its progress, final results, and the technical developments achieved. Christoph Montag, also from ArianeGroup, will present on the RIT2X system, detailing its evolution from individual components to an integrated subsystem ready for real-world applications. Konstantin Keil from Justus Liebig University Giessen will discuss experimental findings on thruster testing and the underlying physics of radio-frequency ion thrusters, providing context on the technical principles that support the GIESEPP MP’s advancements. Additionally, Simone Scaranzin from AEROSPAZIO will focus on the plume characterization of the RIT-2X plasma thruster, critical for assessing thruster performance and reliability in space.
Further insights will come from Airbus Crisa’s Guillermo Salinas, who will discuss the magnetics design aspects tailored for space applications. Airbus’s Fabien Malet will conclude the technical presentations by examining the challenges and outcomes of system coupling tests, a crucial phase in integrating the propulsion system for practical deployment.
The GIESEPP MP project is a critical development in the space industry, driven by the demand for higher efficiency and reduced costs in satellite propulsion. Electric propulsion provides substantial improvements over traditional chemical propulsion, primarily in fuel efficiency, weight savings, and overall launch costs, which in turn boosts the payload capacity and profitability for operators. At the core of the GIESEPP MP system is a European gridded ion engine, an advanced technology that allows Europe to establish itself as a leader in the competitive worldwide market. This propulsion system, developed under the EPIC program, comprises modular components including the Gridded Ion Engines (GIE) with its Neutralizer Cathode, Power Processing Unit (PPU) and Xenon Propellant Management System (XPMS), designed to meet the operational needs of both GEO Telecoms and LEO constellations.
The advantages of gridded ion engines over traditional ion engines, like Hall-Effect Thrusters, are numerous. They achieve the highest fuel efficiency with specific impulses exceeding 3000 seconds and minimal plume divergence, resulting in an efficient propulsion system with reduced platform interaction. This unique design allows a technical separation between ionization and thrust generation, enhancing adaptability for diverse mission requirements and increasing Europe’s competitive edge in electric propulsion technology.
The GIESEPP MP consortium invites all industry professionals, researchers, and interested stakeholders to join this informative webinar. The event provides a valuable opportunity to explore the project’s advancements and understand the implications for the future of space propulsion technology.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://gieseppmp.eu/webinar-the-final-results-of-project-giesepp-mp/
Contact information
Linda Kimeisa | WIT Berry – GIESEPP MP project communication manager | linda@witberry.lv
