The Strategic Research Clusters on Space Electric Propulsion of the European Union’s Horizon 2020

Paper number

IAC-18,C4,4,6,x45792

Author

Mr. Jorge LOPEZ REIG, Spain, CDTI (Centre for the development of Industrial Technology)

Coauthor

Mr. Jose Gonzalez del Amo, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Year

2018

Abstract

The Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) on Space Electric Propulsion (EP) is the new European Commission (EC) instrument into the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (H2020). The SRC objective is to target mid-term and long-term challenges in the space electric propulsion field, considered strategic for Europe. The SRC is implemented through a Programme Support Activity (PSA) coordinating individual and specific research and development Operational Grants. The Operational Grant activities aim at producing a significant demonstration and achievements of a specific technology in line with a defined roadmap.
The SRC and EPIC PSA activities started at the end of 2014, and activities performed until the first half of 2018 are described in detail in this paper. The EPIC PSA current activities are focusing on the assessment of the progress and results of the on-going Operational Grants steaming from the SRC 2016 Call, in the context of the SRC objectives, always in coordination with REA. The PSA is participating in most of the progress meetings and technical reviews with designated PSA teams. The evaluation on the state of the art and the market needs is a continuous activity for the PSA in other to update if necessary the SRC EPIC roadmap and master plan. The main evolution of the SRC and EPIC PSA activities will be reported in this paper.
In preparation of the second phase of the SRC EPIC roadmap, the EPIC PSA is already giving support to EC on the definition of the SRC Call texts, related documents and technical annexes for the next SRC 2019 Call topic (SPACE-13-TEC-2019) and the following SRC 2020 Call topic (SPACE-28-TEC-2020). These Call text will be published during this period in due time by the EC in the next H2020 Space Work Programme 2018-2020, and full details will be given in this paper.
The EPIC PSA is going to organize three dedicated EPIC Workshops: the first one already organized in Madrid (Spain) on 24-25 October 2017; the next one will be organized on 2018 in London (United Kingdom), and the last one on 2019 in Noordwijk (Netherlands). The EPIC Workshops scope is to present the Horizon 2020 Electric Propulsion SRC activities to the electric propulsion community and stakeholders and to collect and assess the latest EP technology developments in Europe.

Abstract document

IAC-18,C4,4,6,x45792.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-18,C4,4,6,x45792.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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