Description
Priority 2 activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one delegation.
Objective:
Develop a new all European high flow rate pressure regulator to satisfy the needs of electric propulsion and auxiliary propulsion systems on the new generation of electric propulsion platforms.
Targeted Improvements:
- 20% cost reduction cf. US components.
- 50% market share increase for European valve supplier.
Description:
Application of mechanical pressure regulators on European telecommunication satellites has a strong reliance on the use of US solenoid valve components (e.g. Alphasat, Eurostar, Spacebus). These US mechanical pressure regulators are subject to ITAR restrictions, which prevent visibility of the regulator design, and consequently the regulator performance limits are not well known. In addition, the recent developments of all electric platforms requires high flow rate to be supplied by the regulator for the auxiliary propulsion system. These high flow rates can cause significant problems for regulator operation due to Joules-Thomson cooling effects, and it is not clear that currently available regulators will be able to overcome these problems by simple addition of external thermal controls.
The activity aims to develop a European, ITAR free, pressure regulator capable to provide flow rates over a wide range covering all foreseeable electric propulsion and cold gas applications. The activity will build on existing competences in European suppliers, with the aim to develop a cost effective, high performance, high-pressure pressure regulator to Engineering model status.
Work logic
- Requirements definition.
- Concept definition and breadboarding.
- Engineering model design, manufacture and test.
- Road mapping to valve commercialisation.