SRC Roadmap
The Electric Propulsion Innovation & Competitiveness (EPIC) project aims to provide a clear integrated roadmap of activities and a master plan for upcoming calls in that field, which will then be implemented through a Strategic Research Cluster (SRC). The objective is to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL – as per ISO 16290 standard) of future EP technologies.
The SRC Roadmap is defined to reach that objective and in its elaboration process, EPIC organized two workshops to consult with stakeholders:
The High Level SRC Roadmap is defined by two complementary technology development lines:
A detailed description of the above lines is included in the corresponding guidelines.
A detailed description of the above line is included in the corresponding guidelines.
The implementation of these technology development lines will be carried out in two phases: and a third phase Post H2020 Calls could be considered for In Orbit Demonstration (IOD) and/or In Orbit Validation (IOV):
The following figure provides an overview of the high-level SRC Roadmap evolution. In Phase 1, the basis is laid for achieving the final aim of the SRC “In-Space Electrical propulsion”: European technical leadership and economic competitiveness on Electric Propulsion at world level. To that extend, the most promising technologies shall be supported and enabled to reach higher levels of maturity, while proving their suitability for mid to long term identified or new applications needs.
2016 Call is focus on the challenge of enabling major advances in Electric Propulsion for in-space operations and transportation, in order to contribute to guarantee the leadership through competitiveness and non-dependence of European capabilities in electric propulsion at world level within the 2020-2030 timeframe, always in coherence with the existing and planned developments at national, commercial and ESA level.
Phase 2 foresees the continuation of the two lines of developments (incremental and disruptive technologies). Aspects as the number of projects, continuation or establishment of new projects, expected funding, etc. will remain open until the future Work Programmes are adopted, etc. The objective for this phase is to support the more promising technologies developed in Phase 1 towards the higher TRLs, in order to, at the end of the Phase 2 projects, to achieve the SRC expectations and, potentially, be ready to prepare the chosen EP system(s) for a potential IOD/IOV.
For further information on this topic see the COMPET-3-2016 call text and its corresponding guidelines in our Related Links section.