GEORyder addresses the Space Transportation technologies in support to In-orbit servicing systems subtopic. The geopolitical situation has greatly impacted the ability of Europe to access GEO orbit without Russian Launch. In parallel, smaller newcomers are now proposing services based on microsatellite in GEO. Consequently there is an urgent need to facilitate access to direct GEO for Europe. Additionally, upcoming REACH regulations together with cost constraints will lend weight to the evident necessity for efficient orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs). Space Transportation will find new market & innovation through “In-Space” Logistics. In this context, the GEORyder project proposes a combination of a reusable Kickstage vehicle and OTVs equipped with rendez-vous and refuelling capabilities, allowing cost-effective in-orbit logistics, and providing a greater accessibility and affordability for GEO access for Europe. Notably, it will be using green propellant and will be designed to anticipate future cryogenic storage and transfer logistics. Under the coordination of SME Infinite Orbits (FR) leading the mission design, the vehicle structure and industrialisation will be conducted by Berlin Space Tech. (DE), its propulsion and reusability will be the focus of Dawn Aerospace (NL). Additionally, a cryogenic propellant storage will be developed, with the aim of ensuring a sustainable propellant approach compliant to European Green Deal ambitions and ESA roadmap. Meanwhile, Space Application Services (BE) will manage the refuelling abilities. Deimos (SP) will handle the avionics on agnostic hardware architecture for electronics to ensure the versatility of the vehicle, said-electronics and software will be developed and provided by Skylabs (SL), and Politecnico di Milano (IT) will be focusing on the GNC and Proximity operation for rendez-vous and in-orbit services. Finally, Ariane Space (FR) will ensure the service commercialisation and market analysis.

SatDrive is based on an entirely new paradigm: use of safe, abundantly available propellants and simplified, direct ignition system, increasing throttability. Compared to other technologies, SatDrive module is the key enabler for (ESAs) science missions to benefit society. It also supports adoption of civil space systems, such as: worldwide internet connectivity (bridging the digital divide) and earth observation for monitoring climate change and methane emissions. SatDrive is simplifying operations through its bi-propellant thruster for small satellites between 100-500 kg. This proposal is centred on the developments needed to bring this product to market. Dawn’s safe, reliable and affordable propulsion technology was first developed for the nanosatellite industry. An industry that is rapidly growing adverse to use Hydrazine. Quickly gaining international traction, we are expanding this technology to the midsized satellite market with a larger thruster and supporting system.

Dawn Aerospace is the fastest-growing in-space chemical propulsion company globally. Since its founding in 2017, Dawn has integrated 150+ thrusters across 30+ operational in-space satellites with many more already on contract. Dawn Aerospace’s in-space services project is developing a fully autonomous in-orbit refuelling service using a dedicated satellite known as the Space Utility Vehicle (SUV). This vehicle will travel between operational satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to extend their mission lifetimes by delivering green, self-pressurising propellants—Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and Propylene (C₃H₆). The SUV will be equipped with Dawn’s high-performance SatDrive propulsion system, advanced guidance and navigation capabilities, and a Docking and Fluidic Transfer (DFT) port, which interfaces with compatible customer satellites. The SUV is designed to carry 124 kg of propellant, half of which is deliverable to clients, with the remainder reserved for manoeuvres such as rendezvous, docking, and de-orbiting. The SUV service is built for compatibility with a wide range of satellites, especially those above 50 kg, and will initially target, Orbital Transportation, Earth Observation and Communications markets. Dawn is deploying refuelable ports on its propulsion systems, started in q1 of this year, seeding the market ahead of the full in space service launch in 2030. The SUV is designed to operate for one year, refuelling multiple satellites per mission. This application seeks funding to ready the SUV for launch, following which the first services can commence for existing Dawn propulsion customers.

GIANCE offers innovative solutions to environmental challenges and establishes a holistic, integrated, and industrial-driven platform for the design, development, and scalable fabrication of the next generation of cost-effective, sustainable, lightweight, recyclable graphene and related materials (GRM)-based multifunctional composites, coatings, foams, and membranes (GRM-bM) with enhanced properties (e.g. thermal, mechanical, chemical), functionalities (e.g. wear, corrosion, chemical and fire resistance, hardness and impact resistance, high temperature resistance, structural health monitoring, ultralow friction surfaces), and as enablers for hydrogen storage. GIANCE will also advance manufacturing processes, enhancing synthesis and stability and reducing environmental impact. Such GRM-bM and manufacturing capabilities will allow robust connections with end-users and thus develop and qualify the commercial propositions to high TRLs. GIANCE will develop, demonstrate, and validate the efficacy of GRM-enabled products (11 use cases) which will underlie future technologies for different sectors (e.g. automotive, aerospace, energy (hydrogen economy) and water treatment). GIANCE also supports the innovation output and industrialization efforts of the Graphene Flagship initiative, building a credible pathway for the newly accumulated knowledge to impact EU industry and society. GIANCE will support a strong EU value chain in translating technology advances from TRL4-5 into concrete innovation opportunities and production capabilities (TRL6-7), with first-mover market advantages of scale in the defined industrial sectors. The consortium consists of 23 partners from 10 countries, representing the full value chain, with leading OEMs, large industries, world-class research and education organisations, and innovative SMEs. GIANCE is designed to ensure maximum impact for the defined industries and society as a whole, significantly contributing to the evolving field of GRM.

The development of next generation space exploration propulsion systems requires high temperature materials able to guarantee low density, high strength and ductility, oxidation resistance, good creep properties. High Entropy Alloys (HEA) are an excellent candidate due to their potential high specific strength and oxidation resistance at high temperatures and have been identified as possible replacement for superalloys in propulsion systems components. HEAs are relatively new class of materials and although since 2004 more than 600 HEA journal and conference papers have been published the whole HEA world still leaves un-answered questions. Therefore, in order to exploit these advancements on HEA, further work is needed. The main goal of ATLAS is to take over the present limitations and unsolved issues that limit the utilization of HEA through multidisciplinary materials design framework that advances the state-of-the-art of High Entropy Alloys and related materials compounds towards the practical needs (current and future) of the space propulsion industry. To achieve this ambitious result the following challenges will be addressed: defnition of an accurate material property database, design of the HEA, definition of Hybrid/Compound solutions with combination of HEA materials joined to Ceramics and/or Ceramic Matric Composites (CMCs) to create lightweight and temperature resistant functional materials, manufacturing of near-net shape manufacturing and materials integration/joining with Ceramics and CMCs. To produce the HEA materials and related compounds materials designed within the project two different additive manufacturing processes will be used from the production of coupons and samples to the final full scale demenstration, thus paving the path for the application of HEAs for the new generation of space propulsion.