The objective of DEEP-PPU project is to develop and introduce to the market a disruptive Power Processing Unit (PPU) for Electrical Propulsion Gridded Ion Thrusters. This solution will stand out with its outstanding 40% mass and 35% volume reduction compared to the existing solutions on the market, while reducing the cost of the unit by a factor of two. The DEEP PPU project will strengthen the EU's space sector competitiveness in the international market, while securing the autonomy of supply for critical technologies and equipment. The target PPU will be achieved through the use ground-breaking technologies in space, namely Gallium Nitride semiconductors and Commercial Off-The-Shelf components, together with the implementation of custom design of power magnetics, the integration of the Radio Frequency Generation module and the synergies with previous developments in the frame of GIESEPP (Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propulsion Platforms). A multidisciplinary team of entities across Europe has been set, providing the right background and expertise to perform the required activities. The proposed PPU product fits the HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01-12 topic (Technologies and generic building blocks for Electrical Propulsion), specifically addressing the second area of this topic “R&I on electrical power architecture and related components (Power Processing Unit, direct drive, etc.)”.

For the future of space exploration and space logistics, and to reduce costs for orbit transportation of future payloads, very high-power Hall Effect thrusters of 20 kW or above are at the forefront of several initiatives today. Be it as single or clustered units, the combined thrust of these electric propulsion systems (EPS) paves the way to allowing larger spacecraft and more ambitious missions to be envisaged. However, given that these missions would require significant burn time of the EPS, several important issues must be addressed that go beyond the simple ability of manufacturing larger EPS components. Specifically, qualifying such electric thrusters for lifetime is currently a showstopper. In the race to the Moon and Mars, as well as other lucrative commercial missions within earths orbit beyond 2030, the European Space industry must catch up with the US. Studies within Europe have already been initiated for the incremental development of 20-kW class Hall thrusters such as the FP7 HiPER project which produced the PPS20k ML thruster up to TRL4, FP7 CHEOPS project which permitted SITAEL to develop their 20kW HET, ESA projects allowing UNIPI to develop their nested multi-channel TANDEM thruster or the ongoing H2020 ASPIRE project led by SITAEL. Nevertheless, given the challenges and the opportunities that VHP present, research such as proposed in CHEOPS-VHP-BB must be anticipated now ahead of its effective deployment in 2030-40. Project activities will complement ongoing thruster-focused development activities with research and development on key building blocks essential for the future use of VHP Hall thruster systems: overall system architecture against various mission use cases, robust and cost-effective approach to qualification using Probabilistic Failure Analysis, manufacturability of key components subject to wear, notably the discharge chamber and cathode and the ability to envisage alternative propellants and power sources for future missions.

SALTO will perform, for the first time in Europe, fly / recover / refly cycles of a reusable rocket first stage demonstrator. Operating a large-scale vehicle at low altitude, consistent with future European strategic needs, and embedding a set of critical technologies, the project will significantly boost the strategic launchers roadmap, enabling the vision of a future launch fleet improving by 50% space access costs and reducing environmental impacts. SALTO will hence act as a “stepping stone” towards reusability of strategic launchers in Europe which is one of the key leverages to reach such vision. Fully aligned with previous ESA-funded activities (e.g. Themis initial phase Program), SALTO focuses on - Technologies and building blocks maturation up to TRL5/6 for the first stage of a strategic launcher; - Subsystem/system tests with two low altitude system tests (“hop test”) campaigns. SALTO's methodology will combine robust system engineering with technology maturation activities and a stepped demonstration strategy to accelerate experimental learning through the implementation of the Agile methodology. The SALTO project will culminate in flight test campaigns to demonstrate and validate the technologies necessary for a reusable launch vehicle. SALTO will contribute to the cost reduction target for strategic launcher in Europe by addressing ~3/4 (in cost) of all technologies / operations involved in a future European reusable rocket stage. While Europe is currently lagging behind other global players when it comes to reusable launchers, SALTO will reinforce EU’s independent capacity to access space, secure autonomy of supply for critical technologies and equipment, and foster EU's space sector competitiveness. At the end of the project, lessons will be drawn regarding the maturity of the different technological bricks, TRL and readiness for flight tests. A roadmap to increase their maturity will be prepared in view of suborbital tests by 2025.

The project consortium for HATCH comprises 4 SMEs and 1 high-profile technology centre. The aim of HATCH is to develop a scalable, contemporary, interactive and user-driven platform for promoting European space projects and related activities to professionals and citizens. It aims to overcome obstacles enabling researchers, innovators and other stakeholders to focus on achieving their objectives. This proposal answers the call requirements through 6 objectives, split into 8 Work Packages. HATCH will use modern solutions: comprehensive data analysis, proven methods and high standards for development and validation. The HATCH consortium has completed a preparatory study to identify groups of "User Persona" through sample surveys, interviews and secondary data analysis. As a result, the consortium has gained insight into stakeholders’ goals, needs and behaviour patterns to underpin the user-driven solution. The Portal’s visual layout will appeal to a wide range of users to showcase European research, encourage collaboration, form partnerships, analyse funding, commercialise results and generate interest in space exploration and science for all. Elastic search and bundle retrieval are some of the techniques to be used by an experienced team to deliver the best search functionality. Individuals will be able to create their own filters and save results to create research networks. Search engine optimisation tactics and an extensive communication/dissemination strategy will give visibility and awareness to all stakeholders making a strong base for the future. Consortium members are focused on maximising the impact of the project. 2 partners manage space-related online resources (on a smaller, regional/national scale). Another partner understands user requirements and the translation into solid activities within a webpage. 1 partner provides expertise on features such as user experience or data mining. 2 partners have experience in conducting projects in the space sector.

Decarbonization of processes, scarcity of raw materials and Europe independence on key resources, valorisation of industrial waste are all key and strong challenges the EU metallurgy industry is facing and will have to deal with in the next decades to remain sustainable while keeping its economic competitiveness. This is particularly true for the manganese (Mn) & Mn ferroalloys industries. HAlMan represents a game changer in the metallurgical industry in view of developing sustainable processes with low carbon footprint, low energy consumption, no solid waste generation, valorisation of secondary raw materials from mining and metallurgical industry. HAlMan will demonstrate at TRL 7 an integrated process to produce Mn metal and Mn alloys from Mn ores and Mn-containing waste by using hydrogen and secondary aluminum (Al) sources as reductants. As metallurgical processes have large share in CO2 emission, decarbonization in metallurgical industry is essential to operate metal production in Europe. The benefits of the HAlMan innovative process will go beyond Mn and Mn Ferroalloys industries, and it presents a unique intersectoral approach in circular economy where: • Al-containing dross/scrap, and waste from ferromanganese industry are valorised to produce directly new Al-Mn master alloys for Al and Steel industries • metallurgical grade alumina (the feedstock for Al production, produced almost exclusively from Bauxite which is a CRM for EU) is produced via a zero-carbon footprint process • the extraction of critical raw materials, including REEs, from the alumina production process by-products will be demonstrated • the production of manganese oxide and cell fabrication for lithium-ion battery applications will be demonstrated. Additionally, HAlMan project studies heat and hydrogen recovery from process gas to improve process economy and yield. Significant activities on Life cycle assessment, Business development, dissemination and communication will be carried.