Description
The objective of the activity is to develop and validate a simulation tool to assess the interactions of iodine plume impingement on spacecraft surfaces.
Targeted Improvements: Enabling the use of iodine in the propulsion system instead of xenon, leading to a 50% reduction of tank volume.
Description:
While most electric propulsion systems currently use Xenon as the propellant,Iodine has been considered as an interesting alternative for some time, due to its higher density, easier storage, and lower costs.In recent years, activities worldwide have demonstrated the technical feasibility of using iodine at thruster and propellant management level.
However, little has been done to assess the impact of Iodine at spacecraft level, in terms of contamination and erosion,which prevents this technology from being considered by potential customers. This activity will study iodine plume contamination anderosion of satellite surfaces. The behaviour of various space materials will be characterised when exposed to an iodine plume generated from iodine-fed electric thrusters, or when exposed to iodine vapours. Implications at system level will then be reassessed by updating and using the SPIS (Spacecraft Plasma Interaction System) software, together with a reassessment of the associated risksandbenefits of adopting iodine-fed electric propulsion systems (such as reduction of tank volume by more than 50%, easier integration ofthe tank, gain in dry mass by more than 10% for the propulsion sub-system).
Footnote: On Delegation Request activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one National Delegation.