Green Solar-to-propellant Water Propulsion

The Green SWaP project aims to develop a solar-powered system for producing hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide from water to enable eco-friendly in-space propulsion solutions.

Subsidie
€ 3.997.916
2024

Projectdetails

Introduction

Similar to terrestrial photosynthesis, whereby plants convert solar energy into chemical energy through the capture of light energy, the Green SWaP project seeks to harness this potentiality in space by converting water into highly valuable propellants, specifically hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen.

Project Goals

Green SWaP will prove and validate a technology that will use solar energy to produce propellants from water for in-space green propulsion. It will be a crucial building block to enable innovative green propulsion solutions for in-space mobility, resulting in low-cost and eco-friendly innovative concepts.

Novel Approach

This project represents a novel approach, never developed for in-space mobility. While studies exist for terrestrial applications, the space environment introduces additional constraints and dedicated challenges that the project will aim to solve.

Technology Overview

The new technologies, based on innovative chemical processes, will harvest solar power to enable green propulsion. This methodology is plausible because the underlying technological concepts of producing, concentrating, and storing hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen using solar energy have been proven separately, even though they were developed under different constraints and conditions of use than in-space applications.

Research Opportunities

Moreover, the combination of hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen has never been investigated in detail. The utilization of hydrogen for solar thermal propulsion is theoretically proven to be the most promising, but it has never been developed as technology.

Future Impact

The combination of these technologies will drastically increase future spacecraft capabilities, facilitating renewable and self-sustainable in-space mobility.

Optimization Focus

Optimisation concerning the quality and quantity of hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen produced onboard, as well as efficiency improvements, will be fully explored.

Financiële details & Tijdlijn

Financiële details

Subsidiebedrag€ 3.997.916
Totale projectbegroting€ 3.997.916

Tijdlijn

Startdatum1-10-2024
Einddatum30-9-2028
Subsidiejaar2024

Partners & Locaties

Projectpartners

  • UNIVERSITA DI PISApenvoerder
  • TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO
  • KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE
  • European Research Institute of Catalysis A.I.S.B.L.
  • NOVASPACE SAS

Land(en)

ItalyNetherlandsGermanyBelgiumFrance

Vergelijkbare projecten binnen EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder

Solar for Ice to Thrust

The S4I2T project aims to develop a solar-powered water propulsion system for autonomous spacecraft, enhancing sustainability and enabling in-orbit servicing and resource utilization.

€ 3.999.590
EIC Pathfinder

GreenH2 production from water and bioalcohols by full solar spectrum in a flow reactor

This project aims to produce green hydrogen and high-value chemicals from water and biomass using a novel solar-driven process with high efficiency and zero carbon emissions.

€ 2.201.654
EIC Pathfinder

COMPACT AND PROPELLANT-LESS ELECTRODYNAMIC TETHER SYSTEM BASED ON IN-SPACE SOLAR ENERGY

E.T.COMPACT aims to advance three in-space technologies for solar energy harvesting and green propulsion, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs for future space missions.

€ 3.972.890
EIC Pathfinder

Microfluidic wAstewater treatment and Creation of Green HYdrogen Via Electrochemical Reactions

MacGhyver innovatively produces green hydrogen from wastewater through modular microfluidics and electrochemical methods, yielding clean water and supporting sustainable energy goals.

€ 3.644.380
EIC Pathfinder

Ionic Propulsion in Atmosphere

This project aims to advance ionic air-breathing propulsion systems through research and development, ultimately designing a stratospheric airship to replace satellites with eco-friendly, cost-effective alternatives.

€ 2.999.993

Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen

Mkb-innovati...

Groene on-site waterstofperoxide elektrochemische productie uit water

Het project test de haalbaarheid van een duurzaam elektrochemisch systeem voor de productie van hoge concentraties waterstofperoxide uit water en groene stroom, met brede industriële toepassingen.

€ 20.000
Mkb-innovati...

Storable liquid rocket motor for rocket attitude control

Het consortium ontwikkelt een mobiele HTP-printer en bi-propellant raket om milieuvriendelijke raketbrandstof on-site te produceren voor civiele toepassingen en attitude controle.

€ 154.561
ERC Consolid...

Power-to-X: STREAMing Hydrogen from 3-Band Solar Cells boosted with Photonic Management

X-STREAM aims to revolutionize sustainable energy by integrating advanced photovoltaic systems with electrochemical storage to achieve high-efficiency hydrogen production from solar energy.

€ 1.999.608
Innovation F...

FIRST SMALL-SCALE DEPLOYMENT (FSD) OF A PRE-COMMERCIAL PLANT BASED ON PHOTOELECTROCATALYTIC TECHNOLOGY FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

The SUN2HY project aims to demonstrate the world's first pre-commercial Photoelectrocatalysis plant for sustainable hydrogen production, targeting 201 tH2/year to support local mobility and reduce CO2 emissions.

€ 4.484.293
Mkb-innovati...

Groene waterstof als bouwsteen voor een duurzaam energiesysteem

Dit project ontwikkelt een prototype elektrolyser voor efficiënte en veilige productie van groene waterstof ter ondersteuning van de energietransitie.

€ 200.000