Imagine a spacecraft that doesn't need to carry all its fuel from Earth, but instead makes it while flying. By using sunlight and water, it creates a green fuel similar to how plants use photosynthesis to grow. This allows satellites to refuel themselves in space, making long trips and cleaning up space junk much easier.
Current space propulsion relies on toxic, expensive propellants launched from Earth, limiting mission duration and increasing costs. There is a critical need for sustainable, self-sufficient fuel production in orbit.
The project is building solar-to-fuel conversion modules, propellant storage subsystems, and two thruster demonstrators: one solar-thermal and one chemical bipropellant.
If you are a constellation operator dealing with limited mission lifespans due to fuel depletion — this project developed a solar-to-fuel conversion system that allows for in-orbit refueling. This extends the operational life of assets without requiring expensive Earth-launched propellant refills.
If you are a debris removal company dealing with the high cost of toxic propellants like hydrazine — this project developed a bimodal propulsion system using water-derived hydrogen and peroxide. This reduces toxicity and enables more sustainable, long-term missions to clear space junk.
If you are a logistics provider dealing with the difficulty of transporting fuel to the Moon — this project developed a method to convert water into propellant using solar energy. This enables a circular propulsion cycle that supports autonomous lunar transport.
Based on available project data, specific cost or pricing information is not provided; however, the project aims to enable low-cost innovative concepts for in-space mobility.
The project is currently validating technologies up to TRL 4. Industrial scale is a future goal following laboratory proof-of-concept and future in-orbit demonstrations.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves a consortium of 6 partners including universities and an SME.
The project includes a dedicated system-engineering effort to ensure integration, verification, and a qualification roadmap for future in-orbit use.
The project period runs from 2024-10-01 to 2028-09-30.
The consortium consists of 6 partners across 5 countries, showing a strong academic lean with 4 universities and 1 research center. However, the inclusion of 1 SME (17% industry ratio) provides a necessary bridge for commercialization and practical application of the solar-to-fuel technology.
Contact Università di Pisa
Contact us to connect with the Green SWaP consortium for TRL 4 technology transfer.
