About Horizon Europe project DEEP PPU
The DEEP-PPU consortium will develop a disruptive Power Processing Unit for medium and high-power GIT. The project is a natural continuation of GIESEPP-MP, where a first step has been taken to develop a power supply for the screen grid and integrate it within the current PPU design for ArianeGroup RIT-2X thruster.
This project is co-funded by the European Union, ID 101082685. Any related tweets reflect only the views of the project owner.
The activity is focused on the improvement and optimization of the power electronics as one of the major cost drivers of an electric propulsion system, in particular for gridded ion technology.
Poject duration
32 months
Project consortium
6 organisations
Countries represented
4 countries
DEEP PPU proposed solution
DEEP PPU team’s proposed solutions stands out with significant mass and cost reduction compared to the existing solutions on the market. It aims to strengthen the EU’s space sector competitiveness in the international market and secure the autonomy of supply for critical technologies and equipment.
Learn more about GIESEPP MP
DEEP-PPU project focuses on improving and optimising power electronics as one of the significant cost drivers of an electric propulsion system, particularly for gridded ion technology. The activity will offer a new generation of state-of-the-art power electronics deemed to keep compatibility with the existing 5 kW gridded ion thruster in Europe. The main target is the Ariane Group RIT-2X thruster, which is easily adaptable to Mars Space T6/T7. The proposed architecture will also offer a scalable design ready for future applications of higher power.
DEEP PPU will provide significant benefits at system and spacecraft level
Which are summarized as follows
Cost reduction of having a cheaper PPU.
Cost reduction of integrating the RFG unit, with the direct savings of eliminating the unit itself and the cost savings of simplifying the integration activities.
Cost savings of the harness interconnecting the PPU and thruster, which will be simplified and optimized.
Providing opportunity to integrate GIT systems in HET platforms without major redesigns.
Simplifying platform thermal management by no having an additional unit at thruster’s location.