ECAPS
. August 25, 2017 . The new board members of ECAPS Aktiebolag. . See http://www.allabolag.se/5566027446/befattningar . Patrick van Put - Technical & Business Director Bradford Engineering . Leonard M. Levie - Director: AIAC - American Industrial Acquisition Corporation . Ian Fichtenbaum - Adviser to the American Industrial Acquisition Corp. . ________________________________________________________________________ . August 10, 2017 . SSC made a…
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uppsagd
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August 25, 2017

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The new board members of ECAPS Aktiebolag.

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Patrick van Put – Technical & Business Director Bradford Engineering

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Leonard M. Levie – Director: AIAC – American Industrial Acquisition Corporation

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August 10, 2017

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SSC made a pdf-printout of the Bradford-ECAPS presentation 5 weeks after the divestment of ECAPS to Bradford Space

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July 6, 2017

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For over 6 years I have been waiting for this announcement

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Swedish Space Corporation, (SSC Svenska rymdaktiebolaget AB) has sold 100% of the

shares of ECAPS AB, a wholly owned subsidiary of SSC, to Bradford Engineering

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In December, 2011 Bradford Engineering BV was acquired by Moog Inc. from the USA.

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In November 2016, 100% of the shares of Bradford Engineering BV were acquired by the American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC).

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The AIAC Group acquires majority control of under-performing or non-core manufacturing, industrial and aerospace operations worldwide.

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Some of the clues to the divestment of ECAPS are to find in the ECAPS 2016 year report?!

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http://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/release.asp?prid=169

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August 16 2016

High Performance Green Propulsion: Not just for #satellites anymore ( HPGP Inte längre bara till satelliter )

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July 25, 2016 04:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Orbital ATK and ECAPS Sign Agreement on Breakthrough Propulsion Technology

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Agreement Enables New Liquid Propulsion Systems for U.S. Government and Industry

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See pdf: Orbital ATK and ECAPS Sign Agreement on Breakthrough Propulsion Technology _ EON_ Enhanced Online News

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”We are excited to be able to bring safer, more effective and affordable propulsion systems to the United States,” said Pat Nolan, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Missile Products Division of the Defense Systems Group. “Greener propulsion is one of the keys to making access to space safer while lowering life cycle costs. We believe our partnership will go a long way toward developing innovative and practical solutions for public and private use.”

Orbital ATK’s team will leverage exclusive use of ECAPS’ LMP-103S, a very-low toxicity monopropellant technology designed as a direct replacement for hydrazine-based systems.

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Annual Report Fiscal Year 2015 ECAPS AB in Swedish

ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2013 ECAPS AB (Google translate & without figures)

ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2012 ECAPS AB (Google translate & without figures)

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OCR of official 2013 annual report in swedish:

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Full report in swedish ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2012_12m (scanned paper in pdf)

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Planet to acquire Terra Bella from Google – SpaceNews Feb 3, 2017

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WASHINGTON — Commercial remote sensing company Planet announced Feb. 3 it was acquiring rival Terra Bella from Google for an undisclosed sum, bringing together what the companies believe are complementary capabilities to image the Earth from space.

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Under the deal, rumored to be in the works since December, Planet will acquire Terra Bella’s business, including its constellation of seven SkySat satellites. Google will also sign a multi-year contract to purchase imaging data from Planet.

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From Space Propulsion 2016 (Paper from April 26, 2016)

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THERMAL IGNITION OF ADN-BASED PROPELLANTS

4. CONCLUSIONS

Resistive and laser ignition methods were tested with ADN based propellants. No clear ignition was observed with both methods. On the other hand, previous studies conducted at FOI demonstrated the possibility to ignite an ADN based propellant through resistive heating [4] and thermally, by injecting it in a preheated chamber [10].

Therefore, even if ignition was not observed with the configurations used, further tests on thermal ignition should conducted.

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Aug 13 2016

Speaking about that ECAPS not has achieved the performance objectives.

(See http://sscspace.com/$2/file/1606-interim-report-english.pdf )

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Check the link https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/skysat

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Scroll until the heading Propulsion subsystems for the SkySat constellation (about the last third part) appears.

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A variety of images with (image credit: ECAPS / SSC) become visible.

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In the text just above https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/skysat#mission-status you will see the next launch opportunities and the image:

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Subcontractors to both NanoSpace and ECAPS do malfunction, according to the results report.

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One wonders what it is that really malfunctions?!

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Manager, Technical Programs at ECAPS Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/shea-ferring/10/183/274

Shea Ferring is the Manager of Technical Programs at ECAPS Inc., helping deliver a game changing High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) system to the industry. Shea has more than 20 years experience in design, integration, test, and technical/project management of aerospace systems. Shea is an expert in Satellite and Launch Vehicle design, integration, test and flight and also has extensive expertise with aerospace propulsion systems, ordnance systems, and robotics. Shea’s other primary expertise is in building and leading highly capable engineering teams.

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Aaron Dinardi

ECAPS – Director, International Business Development

11921 Freedom Drive, Suite 580 Reston, VA 20190 USA

Mobile: (+1) 703-362-1792

Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems Inc

See also: Aerospace Solutions Sweden and Vännäsvägen 5 a, 916 31 Bjurholm, Sweden

(translation from Swedish)

DEREGISTERED

Swedish Companies Registration Office have 2007-03-16 after notification

of cessation of activity, unregistered the trader from the Register.

HOLDER

750114-5937 Dinardi, Aaron Thomas, Hvitfeldtsgatan 11 B,

411 20 Göteborg

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Rheform – Replacement of hydrazine for orbital and launcher propulsion systems

Objectives

1. Replacing hydrazine by adapting the propellant to currently existing materials available in Europe.

2. Development of a cold-start capable ignition system to replace hydrazine in the whole operational area.

3. Verification of the technology within thruster demonstrator(s) to reach a Technology Readiness Level of 5.

4. Adapted numerical models to describe the processes within such propulsion systems.

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From Aerospace Engineering Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt – facebook

The kick-off meeting for the Horizon 2020 project RHEFORM took place on 14-16th of January on the premises of DLR. The Aerospace Engineering department of the FHWN will investigate new, advanced propellants for the space industry and design, manufacture and test new propulsion systems. The project will run for three years.

The FHWN cooperates with following partners:

o Airbus

o CNRS

o DLR (consortium lead), Germany

o ECAPS, Sweden

o FOI, Sweden

o FOTEC, Austria

o Lithoz, Austria

o University of Poitiers, France

Publications

Replacement of Hydrazine: Overview and First Results of the H2020 Project Rheform (pdf)

ECAPS has been awarded a contract by Skybox to supply 12 complete HPGP propulsion system modules for the SkySat constellation. The HPGP modules are to be delivered in 2015 and 2016.

The HPGP systems are manufactured by ECAPS in Sweden, but the propulsion systems use tanks from ATK, valves from Moog and thrust chambers from Plasma Processes.

Therefore, the flagship of Europe will be based on components that are manufactured in the US and restricted under the export control laws of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Goals

The goal of Rheform is the replacement of hydrazine by ADN-based liquid propellants for orbital and launcher propulsion systems.

The two baseline propellants for the project are LMP-103S and FLP-106.

As mentioned in section 2, these propellants require a combustion chamber made of special materials that are currently ITAR restricted.

In the project, new propellants compositions will be developed and tested aiming at reducing the combustion temperature such that ITAR-free materials can be used for catalysts and combustion chambers.

Another focus of the project is to improve the cold start capabilities and thus reduce the need for pre-heating of the system. In order to achieve these goals two different paths will be followed.

On one side the catalytic ignition system will be improved. On the other side thermal ignition systems will experimentally be assessed. Here conventional systems,

such as torch igniters, as well as advanced systems, such as laser ignition systems, will be considered. If necessary a combination of catalytic and thermal ignition will be considered.

The propellant blend and ignition method will be verified with one or two demonstrator(s), equivalent to a TRL of 5.

In the project existing numerical models will be adapted to describe the processes in the propulsion system. Possibilities for the optimization of the production process of ADN will be studied as well in order to reduce the cost of producing this fuel.

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30 jun 2016

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No new comments on sscspace,com about the launch of Skysat?! What can this mean?

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(June 28) SkySat-3 First Light – (link to captured image of Chicago)

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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Last week, SkySat-3 was successfully launched aboard ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket into a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. We captured our first image less than 72 hours after launch and are excited to share an early image of Chicago taken on June 25, 2016 at 10:40AM local time.

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We’d like to thank our extended team, including ECAPS, Earth2Orbit, SSL and ISRO, for helping us get to this point. Stay tuned for more (product and rocket) launch updates.

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2016-06-19

SSC has removed the ECAPS-folder, dated Oct 21, 2015 from their site(?)

Link to pdf: SSC ECAPS Folder 151021

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This (see link below) is what NASA GSFC, finds about using AF-315E and LMP-103S, ie, ”green fuels” instead of hydrazine, in NASA’s future space missions.

An Analysis of Green Propulsion Applied to NASA Missions – A NASA GSFC ”Space Propulsion 2014” paper, printed the 20:th of June 2014

The following paragraph is basically the only thing going against ”green fuel” according to the document above.

F. Other Operational Limitations

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Both green propellants have operational restrictions that do not exist for hydrazine propulsion systems.

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The main operational restriction for both systems, is that the thruster must be preheated.

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There is no cold start capability for either type of thruster.

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This is a significant restriction, since a common contingency requirement for hydrazine thrusters is to be able to detumble a spacecraft when it comes off the launch vehicle, and the thrusters often cannot be preheated to meet this requirement.

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But became all commanded HPGP ”thrust-pulses” on Prisma-Mango, performed as ”thrust”?

In published Prisma-Mango, HPGP reports, has nothing about ”sticky” HPGP valves been noted?

The Swedish nuclear power plant operator, ”Vattenfall”, admit that they have problems with valves sticking, see:

Examine material problems related to valves sticking in nuclear power plants – 2012-01-17 – Text in Swedish

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May 15, 2015

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Two new patent applications from ECAPS have recently been published by the US patent authorities

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So called hard starts, and the relatively high preheat energy (time and power) for water based monopropellant is no success when one wants to persuade NASA to leave hydrazine as their standard monopropellant fuel

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United States Patent Application-20150121843 (pdf published May 7, 2015 )

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United States Patent Application-20150128563 (pdf published May 14, 2015 )

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Found a patent application from ECAPS published November 13, 2013, Publication No. WO2013169193 A1

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BACKGROUND ART

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The present inventors have found that, when operating a thruster as described in WO 02/095207 in certain pulse modes, hard starts are encountered. A hard start implies an overpressure condition during the ignition of the propellant in the thruster. In the worst cases, this takes the form of an explosion. A single hard start is obviously detrimental to the engine, and in worst case even fatal. The problem of hard starts has been observed for thrusters of 5N, 22 N and 200 N when operating the thruster on a liquid, ADN-based monopropellant.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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The present inventors have established that the hard starts observed during pulsed mode firing are due to undue cooling of the heat bed. Hard starts have been observed in the medium to high duty region in combination with relatively short pulses, such e.g. a duty factor of at least about 5%, and a duration of the pulse of from about 100 ms to a few seconds. Duty factor, given as a percentage, is defined herein as 100 * Ton / (Ton + Toff)

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Before firing the thruster, the reactor is pre-heated to a sufficient temperature, typically 300°C to 400°C (depending on bed load and specific monopropellant). The reaction will start already with a heat bed temperature above 200°C, but in order to obtain a nominal start 350°C is preferred. During a long pulse or steady state firing, heat generated in the catalytic bed and in the combustion chamber will be sufficient to continuously heat monopropellant being injected into the thruster, so that the monopropellant is essentially in the gaseous state when entering the catalyst bed. If liquid phase monopropellant enters the catalyst bed, disintegration of the porous catalyst bodies may result due to the high vapour pressure formed within the porous bodies when exposed to heat from the combustion downstream. Also, a hard start will typically occur when liquid phase monopropellant fills a significant part of the heat bed due to ignition delay.

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During pulsed mode firing, depending on the specific duty, and the duration of the pulses, the heat generated in the catalyst bed and in the combustion chamber may not be transferred fast enough to reheat the heat bed, resulting in the heat bed being cooled down to a temperature well below the required pre-heating temperature. For example, for a 22 N thruster hard starts tend to occur at a duty of at least about 10% and a duration of the pulse of from about 100 ms to a few seconds. Pulsed mode firing is also typically associated with a higher bed load, i.e. a larger mass of propellant flowing through a given cross section of the catalytic bed per unit of time, than e.g. during steady state firing.

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The present inventors have found the problem of hard starts during pulsed mode firings to be even more pronounced with the newly developed monopropellants described in WO 2012/166046, such as e.g. the monopropellant designated 1127-3, having a lower energy content and higher cooling effect than e.g. LMP-103S. (More water in the admixture than LMP-103S / uppsagd)

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Read first this document: Green Propellants Based on Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN)

written by: Anders Larsson and Niklas Wingborg FOI – Swedish Defence Research Agency, Sweden

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Speaking of FOI, Wingborg, ADN, patent & ECAPS

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From FTFs journal ”Bevingad” (translate: ”Winged”) 2006-3

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Google translate:

Today’s satellites and spacecraft are powered by liquid propellant hydrazine.

Hydrazine is however highly toxic, volatile, corrosive and carcinogenic. The handling of hydrazine is therefore very costly.

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1997 turned SSC to FOI to inquire about possible alternatives to hydrazine.

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FOI then suggested that salt ADN dissolved in a water-fuel mixture could be a

suitable replacement.

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FOI helped SSC with documentation for a project proposal to seek funding from ESA and the following year could the experimental work started at FOI.

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Speaking of ADN, please see AmmoniumDiNitramide_News_Oct_2004_EURENCO

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Ammonium Dinitramide, ADN, is a strong oxidizer and an explosive. It is an ionic compound with the formula, NH4+ N(NO2)2-.

The existence of stable dinitramides was first published in 1991 in two patent applications filed by the US Research stablishment, SRI.

The anion, N (NO2)2-, was then named dinitramide for the first time. However, it is indisputable that a large effort on synthesizing and using ADN was done in the Soviet Union.

Due to its high strategic military impact it was never published until SRI published the patents and Soviet Union was no longer.

It was not until FOI in 1996 invented a new onestep process for making ADN that things started to happen. With this efficient method EURENCO Bofors could start a pilot production the year after.

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December 2014

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According to information from the PRISMA project of OHB-Sweden, the inspection phase of the Picard experiment was cancelled.

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During the rendezvous phase in August 2014, there was a problem with one of the propulsion systems on PRISMA and the PRISMA project couldn’t catch the opportunity to execute the inspection before the fly-by of Picard. However, the PRISMA project managed to capture a few long range images of Picard.

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The project was also able to validate the relative on-ground navigation procedure by a mix of in-orbit captured and on-ground generated images. 37)

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37) Information provided by Thomas Karlsson of OHB-Sweden

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My comment:

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If the inspection of the Picard satellite was dependent on autonomous commanded ”thrust” and the relevant HPGP thruster valve did not open?

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Compare with the following question: Became all manually commanded HPGP ”thrust-pulses” on Prisma-Mango, performed as ”thrust”?

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Green space propulsion: Opportunities and prospects (released the 17:th of Sep 2014)

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Amir S. Gohardani(a), Johann Stanojev(b), Alain Demairé(b), Kjell Anflo(c), Mathias Persson(c), Niklas Wingborg(d), Christer Nilsson(e)

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(a) Springs of Dreams Corporation, 340 East 1st Street, No. 8, Tustin, California, 92781, United States of America

(b) OHB-Sweden, P.O. Box 1269, SE-164 29 Kista, Sweden

(c) ECAPS, P.O. Box 4207, SE-171 04 Solna, Sweden

(d) Swedish Defence Research Agency, SE-164 90 Stockholm, Sweden

(e) Swedish National Space Board, P.O. Box 4006, SE-171 04 Solna, Sweden

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1. Introduction

2. Selected green space propulsion approaches

2.1. The Rocket Equation

2.2. A macroscopic overview of green space propulsion activities

3. A glance at selected Swedish efforts related to green space propulsion

3.1. The Swedish national space board

3.1.1. Space activities in Sweden

3.1.2. Green space propulsion

3.2. Possible hydrazine monopropellant substitutes

3.2.1. Hydrogen peroxide

3.2.2. Nitrous oxide fuel blends

3.2.3. Ionic liquids

3.2.4. Properties of ammonium dinitramide

3.2.5. Formulation of ADN-based liquid monopropellants

3.2.6. Properties of FLP-106 and LMP-103S

3.3. Industrial activities related to high performance green propulsion technology

3.3.1. Background

3.3.2. High Performance Green Propulsion

3.3.3. Performance and life trade-off

3.3.4. Propellant LMP-103S

3.3.5. Propellant transport

3.3.6. Clean Space and REACH

3.3.7. Propellant loading

3.3.8. In-space demonstration

3.3.9. 1N HPGP thruster

3.3.10. Scaling thrust levels

3.3.11. Advanced Concept Engine – ACE

3.3.12. Ariane 5 ME

3.3.13. Hot fire testing

3.3.14. Industrialization

3.3.15. Opportunities and prospects

3.4. Satellite platforms risk and reward

3.4.1. Options for an ADN based system

3.4.2. The ADN system architecture

3.4.3. Electric propulsion study with LMP-103S

4. Green space propulsion and the future

5. Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

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Speaking about valuable parts that would not comply with the sale of the satellite division.

At one of the management’s ”general assemblies” in 2010 on the sale of satellite division, the question came up about ECAPS would comply with that sale.

The response from management was ”do we get a billion we sell.”

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Who was it that cheered first and highest at the Hard Rock Café June 15, 2010 when the news came that Prisma had separated from Dnepr?

Answer: The ATK-representative.

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About how to succeed in the satellite industry as a satellite designer & operator ”without” money

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But nothing about the propulsion module (from ECAPS) on SkySat-3?

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POSTED ON DECEMBER 10, 2014 BY ENTREPRENEURSHIP@CORNELL

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Tom Ingersoll, president and CEO of Skybox Imaging, speaks at the third annual Cornell Entrepreneurship Summit Nov. 7, 2014 in New York City.

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Business leaders talked about the strategies and vision that helped make their companies successful at the daylong conference, ”Beyond the Horizon,” hosted by Entrepreneurship at Cornell.

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A review by Alon Y. Kapen November 16, 2014

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How did a startup succeed in creating a real-time Google-Earth? Skybox Imaging CEO Tom Ingersoll asked the audience, “Have you looked at your house on Google Earth? Disappointed it was two years old?”

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Because satellites are so expensive to build and launch, most of the pictures that we see are of poor quality and years out of date. Until now. Skybox knew that real-time satellite imaging would require dozens of satellites, a prohibitively expensive endeavor with the cost of a single satellite being around $850 million. So Skybox needed to find a way to build satellites for a fraction of that, and created a lightweight, nimble satellite in-house for about $10 million.

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Ingersoll insisted that the key to Skybox’s success is in execution, and evoked the line mostly attributed to Thomas Edison (also a favorite of Steve Jobs): “Vision without execution is hallucination”. Ingersoll said that another key to Skybox’s success is that it has had a patient board of directors, which enabled Skybox to say “no” to Google twice, before finally agreeing to be acquired earlier this year.

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10 jun 2014

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According to the web, Google is willing to pay $ 500 million for Skybox Imaging.

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I.e. Tom Ingersoll didn´t succeed get financing without ”help” of Google!

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I wonder if Google knows what they are buying? See excerpts from the WSJ:

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The Skybox acquisition adds to several airborne Google initiatives. For one of those, Google is spending more than $1 billion to put hundreds of satellites in orbit to extend Internet access, people familiar with the matter said recently.

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Skybox’s satellites are unlikely to replace Google’s internal satellite initiative because it would be difficult to change the Skybox design to add Internet connectivity to its image-collection capabilities, according to Mr. Farrar of TMF.

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But he said Skybox’s knowhow would be useful on the Google project, since both involve small, light satellites that don’t need much power and can carry Internet-related or image-collection equipment.

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After launching its first satellite, Skybox is ramping up production of more satellites and exploring low-cost launch options, Mr. Farrar said.

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At Skybox website they say among other things following:

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We should point out that our agreement with Google, which is subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, hasn’t closed yet. So in the short term, it will continue to be business as usual at Skybox.

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Techcrunch June 2, 2014

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We wrote the other day about Google’s interest in SkyBox for better mapping data, and when you think about this and the latest developments on Google eyeing up ways of developing broadband access via satellites, it speaks to the breadth of possibilities of where Google could go here.

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SpaceNews May 26, 2014

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What appealed to Ingersoll was the company’s grand vision. Skybox’s founders, who conceived the idea as graduate students at Stanford University, planned to raise hundreds of million of dollars, build satellites in-house and write their own imaging processing algorithms.

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“At the time, I had opportunities to join other startups that were less risky but also less exciting,” Ingersoll said. “There are not many businesses that could have such an important impact on the way we see the world and the way we make resource allocation decisions. Skybox is going to be transformational.”

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Before joining Skybox, Ingersoll co-founded Universal Space Network, a global firm specializing in spacecraft telemetry, tracking and control that was acquired in 2009 by Swedish Space Corp. Ingersoll also served as a senior manager at McDonnell Douglas Corp.’s Phantom Works before the organization known for developing advanced military technology was acquired in 1997 by Boeing Co. Ingersoll spoke recently with SpaceNews correspondent Debra Werner.

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Techcrunch May 23, 2014

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(See below: “Think of that June date as a kind of deadline for Skybox,” one source told us. “Either for an exit, or getting that financing round in place.”)

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We’ve heard from two different sources that the company, which has raised $91 million to date from a number of investors that include Khosla Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners (disclosure: CrunchFund, founded by TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington, is also an investor), will need to raise more money soon if it doesn’t make an exit.

That’s because building and launching satellites — even the small satellites that Skybox bases its business around — is a pricey game, with the cost to make one device potentially running into the millions, without operational and launch costs for that bird factored in. (Relatively speaking, these are small numbers in the satellite industry, with the types of devices made by the likes of BlackBridge, Skybox and Planet Labs often referred to as “low cost”.)

JP Morgan is among the financiers that we’ve heard mentioned in the context of raising another round. Spreading reports that the company is in play with Google could be advantageous both to current investors looking for a good valuation for the company, as well as for the company as it looks for new backers.

And it turns out that the satellite game is not only pricey, but dicey, too.

Skybox’s existing data comes from the single bird that it currently has in orbit.

It recently put in an order for some 13 more devices to be built by Space Systems/Loral, set for a launch in 2015/2016, but more immediately it has plans to launch its second satellite by the end of June. “Think of that June date as a kind of deadline for Skybox,” one source told us. “Either for an exit, or getting that financing round in place.”

Satellite launches typically take place as “secondary passengers” on larger spacecraft, with many of launches of larger spacecraft getting partly or fully funded by the government.

In the case of Skybox, its plan had been to send its second satellite up piggybacking on the launch of a Soyuz vehicle scheduled to go out from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is in Kazakhstan but is fully controlled by the Russian government.

In the wake of sanctions between the U.S. and Russia over tensions in Ukraine – the U.S. State Department on April 28 said it would bar exports, possibly even retroactively, of satellites to Russia if they “contribute to Russia’s military capabilities” – there have been a lot of question marks over how launches from Baikonur would be affected.

SpaceNews reported earlier this month that a Canadian satellite, which was supposed to piggyback on the same Soyuz launch as Skybox’s bird, was barred by the Canadian government from doing so, citing the Ukrainian situation.

Skybox declined to comment to SpaceNews about the impact of the political tension between the U.S. and Russia. Skybox’s are commercial satellites, but even so, the U.S. government has included commercial launches in past restrictions, such as in the case of launches from China.

The launch situation is complicated, but not insurmountable. “India has a very successful launch program, and there are commercial options in the US such as with SpaceX,” notes Soenen from Blackbridge. “So there are a handful of other options for a low-cost satellite launch.”

The one satellite that Skybox has up “doesn’t give them much capacity,” as Soenen puts it. “They wouldn’t be able to do that until they have their full constellation up there.” But nevertheless it is producing some interesting data already. “Beautiful, just beautiful,” is how another industry source described it to me.

In other words, if Google does end up buying any satellite business, it will be but one high step, and a long-term bet, into a more data-rich, map-filled future.

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Svenska Ecaps har fått en mångmiljonorder på raketbränsle. Köpare är det amerikanska underrättelseföretaget Skybox.

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Affären mellan Ecaps – ett dotterföretag till det statliga rymd­bolaget SSC – och det amerikanska satellit- och affärsunderrättelseföretaget Skybox gäller tolv bränslesystem till satelliter.

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Priset på de tolv system som nu säljs är inte offentligt. Men klart är att det rör sig om flera miljoner.

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– Ja, det gör det. Det ger möjlighet till serietillverkning av bränsle, motorer och system under kommande två år, säger Mathias Persson, Ecaps vs, till Ny Teknik.

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or Skybox CEO Tom Ingersoll, didn’t succeed to get financing through the planted? rumor.

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If Google can operate its own atmospheric drones, it will be the equivalent to them operating their own satellites, which means more rapid updates to Google Maps and Google Earth with near real-time information such as weather updates.

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See also Reuters: Google to buy drone-maker Titan Aerospace

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News of the acquisition was first reported on Monday (April 14:th) by the Wall Street Journal.

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April 2 – 9, 2014, Wishful Thinking initiated by Skybox CEO Tom Ingersoll (former CEO USN) to raise funders interest or a true story?

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Skybox Imaging has raised $91 million over three rounds of funding since it was founded in 2009. The Information also reports that the company is looking at additional venture funding in order to increase development. Its last round was two years ago when it closed a massive $70 million Series C round led by Canaan Partners and Norwest Venture Partners.

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Mars 12, 2014

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Has Skybox enough money to fabricate their next satellites (incl HPGP-thruster modules from ECAPS) or is it like SpaceNews says in the article (see link below) that Skybox is dependent on money from Export Development Canada or other authorities like the Swedish National Space Board?

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Skybox President and Chief Executive Tom Ingersoll said the company has raised $110 million in financing to date, enough to cover construction and launch of the first two satellites as well as the design work on SkySat-3.

Speaking March 11 at a Washington Space Business Roundtable luncheon held in conjunction with the Satellite 2014 conference here, Ingersoll said the company needs to raise “[a] couple hundred million” dollars more to finish out the constellation and associated ground infrastructure. It was unclear whether he was referring to the satellites now under contract to Palo Alto, Calif.-based SSL or the full 24-satellite constellation.

Skybox’s primary financial backers are private equity firms Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Canaan Partners and Norwest Venture Partners, Ingersoll said. Industry sources said Skybox plans to raise a combination of debt and equity financing.

The contract with SSL, a subsidiary of MDA Corp. of Canada, raises the possibility that Skybox could receive backing from Export Development Canada, the country’s export credit agency, one industry source said. Export credit agency financing has become a major factor in the space industry and often helps determine who wins satellite manufacturing and launch contracts.

The first six of the SSL-built satellites, including SkySat-3, are slated to launch in 2015 on a Minotaur-C rocket provided by Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va.

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Questions put March 12, 2014 to the Swedish National Space Board

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According to an article in SpaceNews from March 11, 2014, see link below, the author proposes that ” Export Development Canada” will assist Skybox with capital for building of 13 satellites, the same satellites where ECAPS will be involved with their HPGP thruster modules.

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This is because that Skybox, according to CEO Tom Ingersoll, not themselves have the capital to build these satellites including ground infrastructure , see the article.

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My question: Has the Space Board with funds or guarantees or other type of support to ECAPS, supported the building (and the coming) delivery of the said 1 +12 thruster modules for Skybox?

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Extends my question about possible support for ECAPS thruster modules by including the cooperation agreement with Canada, i.e. an indirect support through the CSA?

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See links and picture below:

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Skybox President and Chief Executive Tom Ingersoll said the company has raised $110 million in financing to date, enough to cover construction and launch of the first two satellites as well as the design work on SkySat-3.

Speaking March 11 at a Washington Space Business Roundtable luncheon held in conjunction with the Satellite 2014 conference here, Ingersoll said the company needs to raise “[a] couple hundred million” dollars more to finish out the constellation and associated ground infrastructure. It was unclear whether he was referring to the satellites now under contract to Palo Alto, Calif.-based SSL or the full 24-satellite constellation.

Skybox’s primary financial backers are private equity firms Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Canaan Partners and Norwest Venture Partners, Ingersoll said. Industry sources said Skybox plans to raise a combination of debt and equity financing.

The contract with SSL, a subsidiary of MDA Corp. of Canada, raises the possibility that Skybox could receive backing from Export Development Canada, the country’s export credit agency, one industry source said. Export credit agency financing has become a major factor in the space industry and often helps determine who wins satellite manufacturing and launch contracts.

The first six of the SSL-built satellites, including SkySat-3, are slated to launch in 2015 on a Minotaur-C rocket provided by Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va.

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Mars 11, 2014

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Now we know about the ECAPS thruster-module for SkyBox, i.e. that SSL will be using a Skybox satellite design for which SSL has been given an exclusive license, which include the ECAPS HPGP thruster-module according to the pressrelease, see below

This contract represents the largest order to date for HPGP systems and is a follow-on to the previously awarded contract for a modular HPGP system for SkySat-3, the first of Skybox’s satellites to be equipped with an orbit maneuvering capability. The 12 HPGP system modules included in this new contract are to be delivered during 2015 and 2016.

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An additional key aspect of the agreement is that ECAPS will be able to offer the existing propulsion system module design, or derivatives thereof, as a “drop-in”/off-the-shelf solution for other small satellites requiring high performance propulsion at a reduced life-cycle cost.

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About delayed projects within ECAPS and the circumstance that Skybox granted SSL an exclusive license to the satellite design

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February 17, 2014 – SSC year end report 2013

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Even the results in the Technology division declined. This was a consequence of low orders in Airborne Systems and delayed projects within ECAPS and NanoSpace activities.

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SSL will build 13 small LEO satellites, each about 60 x 60 x 95 centimeters and weighing roughly 120 kilograms, to be launched in 2015 and 2016. These satellites, based on a Skybox design, will capture sub-meter color imagery and up to 90-second clips of HD video with 30 frames per second. Once the 13 satellites are launched, Skybox will be able to revisit any point on earth three times per day.

“With the successful launch of SkySat-1 in November 2013, we validated our high-performance imaging satellite design and economics,” said Michael Trela, vice president of satellite systems, Skybox Imaging. “By partnering with SSL, we can leverage their unique production capabilities to scale with greater cost-efficiency and speed while allowing us to focus on prototyping next generation systems to better serve our customers.”

“The contract award from Skybox is tangible evidence of our success in working with MDA to expand into new markets,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “Based on SSL’s unique strengths as a satellite manufacturer and MDA’s heritage, we are developing new capabilities that will enable us to pursue other earth observation and LEO satellite opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.”

As part of the agreement, Skybox granted SSL an exclusive license to the satellite design. This provides SSL with a unique platform to address the growing demand for small satellites and related services.

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From 27th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites. Conference Small Satellite 2013

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Link to corresponding ”paper” (see below): Hydrocarbon-Seeded Ignition System for Small Spacecraft Thrusters Using Ionic Liquid Propellants

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ECAPS has developed a proprietary catalyst bed for decomposing the LMP-103S monopropellant, and this catalyst bed (catbed) has been demonstrated to be capable of surviving more than 30 minutes of collected burn time and multiple restarts.

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A major disadvantage of the ECAPS design is the requirement to preheat the catbed to at least 350 C before ignition can occur.

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For the Prisma flight the Maximum load during the catalyst pre-heating is 9.25 Watts, and 8.3 Watts during the thruster firing. Mean power consumption during firing is 7.3 watts.

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A 10-Watt heater was installed in the Prisma spacecraft. Depending on the relative sun angle the duty cycle of the heater varies from 67 to 93%. The time required for 9.25 W catbed preheating to 340 C in flight varied from 600 s to 720 s. Operationally preheating time is set conservatively to 30 minutes before enabling the thruster for firing.

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Because of the potential for freezing the water component of HPGP, the average temperature of the propellant tank was maintained at an operating temperature near 20 C.

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Each ignition preheat cycle consumed as much as 25 kJ of energy. It is highly unlikely that a NanoSat-scale spacecraft could provide this sustained energy input.

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Similarly, Zube and Wucherer32 have developed a temperature resistant, Iridium-based catalyst for high performing HAN-mixtures that included HAN269MEO, and a HAN, aminoethylamine-trinitrate (TRN3), water mixture.

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Of primary interest in this effort was the development of the catalyst-support material to which a active Iridium catalyst is affixed. Two ceramics, zirconium diboride (ZrB2) and zirconium carbide (ZrC), were found to be sufficiently robust to extend the test time to a point where the catalyst material was no longer the time limiting factor. These tests allowed significant burn times, greater than 5 minutes, and a large number of starts, greater than 20.

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Thus, for the first time, HAN thruster performance above 250 s measured Isp was achieved on a repeated basis without the handicap of frequent catalyst change.

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Unfortunately, like the ECAPS catbed, the Iridium/zirconate catalysts still required a significant preheat, up to 400 C to achieve stable and smooth combustion.

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November 2013

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News about ECAPS partner ATK

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Steve Beckel, previously ATK and ”responsibility for hypersonic propulsion and green liquid rocket engine market strategy and discretionary investment.”

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Now President, Beckel Engineering LLC see Steve Beckel at Linkedin.

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A new Patent Application Publication by Nicolas Pelletier, CNES,

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See, Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US20130305685 A1

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ABSTRACT

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Novel monopropellants are provided. The monopropellants are based on N20, to their preparation method and their uses for space propulsion.

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The photo below is from ECAPS – Grindsjön, during the NASA visit to SNSB

18 – 21 June 2012. See RS 2012-168, SNSB invits NASA to visit SNSB.

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The Agreement from 2013 between SNSB – ECAPS – NASA

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Implementation and Continued Development of High Performance Green Propulsion in the U.S (AIAA 2013-5441) http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2013-5441

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Wednesday, 11 September 2013

1430 hrs

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OCR of above presented ”paper”

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Approximately 5 years ago, ATK entered into an agreement with ECAPS to serve as the U.S. agent for the import of HPGP technologies. Since that time, with the support of some key customers, ATK has invested to bring the propellant blending capabilities to its Elkton facility, performed hazard classification testing to obtain a Department of Transportation (DOT) certification to ship the propellant and has now set up a vacuum chamber test stand to perform hot-fire testing of HPGP thrusters.

Most importantly, ATK has also established the capability to develop HPGP rocket engines for a variety of applications of interest to NASA, DoD and Commercial customers.

To date, customer response has been excellent, with needs for thrusters ranging from mN up to about 2kN of force for applications ranging from spacecraft, launch vehicle and missile interceptor attitude control systems to apogee kick motors for orbit adjustment.

—

Below, see page 8 and 9 of the same paper 2013-5441

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CEAS2013: ”Innovative Europe” Program_CEAS_2013_Linköping_16-18_sep

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Why should I attend?

The aim of CEAS 2013 is to increase and facilitate networking between aeronautics players on all levels within academia, institutes, and industry.

The conference will present the research forefront, state-of-the-art solutions and business opportunities within aeronautics and astronautics, addressing all disciplines, including analysis, design, development, manufacturing, test and operations. Alse featured is a tutorial held by Astrium and SSC ECAPS on how to include green propulsion in satellite systems.

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Link to book of abstracts:

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Paper 260, U. Gotzig, Astrium Space Transportation, Non-Toxic Propellants for Space

Propulsion

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Paper 100, N.Wingborg. FOI, High performance green propellants

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Paper 101, M.Persson. ECAPS, Increased Propellant Throughput for 1N Green

Rocket Engine

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The present paper covers the hot-firing test campaign performed in order to investigate if the maximum throughput can be increased above 50 kg.

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From Nature – 28 August 2013 Green fuels blast off

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Called LMP-103S, the Swedish fuel is based on ammonium dinitramide, a high-energy salt. It made its debut in 2010 aboard PRISMA, a Swedish satellite meant to demonstrate the fuel in precision flying with small thrusters. For comparison, the mission also carried hydrazine. It took 3 people 7 days to load the green propellant on the launch pad, and 5 people and 14 days to load the hydrazine.

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ECAPS is now seeking general approval from the European Space Agency for the propellant. France’s space agency, CNES, is considering it for a new line of small satellites, and the company Skybox Imaging of Mountain View, California, will begin using the fuel when it launches the third of its 24-craft Earth-imaging constellation in 2015. “We really believe this is going to be the future, especially for small spacecraft,” says Jonny Dyer, Skybox’s chief engineer.

—

It was not only for comparsion. It was due to fact that SSC didn´t trust HPGP enough to go without a hydrazine propellant system. Prisma (Mango) was equipped with 6 hydrazine thrusters and 2 HPGP thrusters, both in redundant positions.

From the link above: The propulsion system used for the FF and rendezvous experiments relies on 6 hydrazine 1N thrusters with a 0.7 mm/s MIB (Minimum Impulse Bit) at the mission start.

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You havn´t missed the ECAPS and Skybox presentation at SmallSat?

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Or the presentation? See ”OCR”-of-First-Implementation-of-High-Performance-Green-Propulsion-in-a-Constellation-of-Small-Satelites

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Has ECAPS (Kjell & Aaron) today solved the material compatibility problems they had during the HPGP-thruster firings on Mango?

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See ”Working with material compatibility between LMP-103S and system components have continued” in ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2012 ECAPS AB (Google translate and w.o. figures)

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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

8:00 AM

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.Jonny Dyer, Skybox Imaging, Inc.

Aaron Dinardi, Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems, Inc.

Kjell Anflo, ECAPS AB

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Abstract

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Skybox recently became the first commercial company to baseline ECAPS’ High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) technology, implementing a propulsion system design with four 1N thrusters in their second generation small satellite platform (< 150 kg).

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The initial propulsion module, to be delivered in 2013, will serve to qualify the system design for use in an entire constellation of small satellites intended to provide customers easy access to reliable and frequent high-resolution images of the Earth.

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Selection of the ECAPS HPGP system resulted from a system study of various propulsion options in support of Skybox’s mission to provide high quality and timely earth observation data from a small satellite constellation.

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Two key technical requirements for the propulsion system were to provide the maximum delta-v achievable (for continued orbit maintenance and mission flexibility) within a considerably limited internal volume typical of many Small-Sats.

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Additionally, in light of the commercial nature of the project, the overall life-cycle cost was considered to be of utmost importance.

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A detailed trade study of various propulsion technologies and vendors was conducted by Skybox during the selection process.

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The results of that study showed that the HPGP solution selected provides nearly twice the on-orbit delta-v of the more traditional monopropellant systems, at the lowest projected life-cycle cost of the liquid propulsion technologies evaluated.

The higher performance of the HPGP system will give Skybox’s constellation of small satellites significantly improved mission flexibility, enabling collection and delivery of higher quality and more timely data to customers.

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Furthermore, the handling and transportation advantages of the environmentally benign Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN)-based LMP-103S monopropellant provide reductions in logistics costs and enable more responsive launch preparation.

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This paper will present an overview of the driving propulsion performance requirements for small Earth Observation satellites such as Skybox’s and discuss how the HPGP technology was selected for Skybox’s imaging constellation.

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—

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From page 8 of the ECAPS – Skybox SmallSat ”paper”

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Using their life-cycle cost comparison methodology [Ref 8] (which considers all propulsion system hardware, the propellant and its transportation to the launch site, launch campaign fueling operations, and post-fueling waste disposal), ECAPS has estimated that

for the SkySat-specific implementation >= $400K of savings can be achieved on the launch of a single SkySat satellite and an additional >= $800K of savings on each subsequent constellation launch of 6 satellites, as compared to implementing a similar propulsion system design based on hydrazine.

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Another very interesting ”paper” from the same Small-Satellite conference

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Some interesting abstracts from EUCASS 2013

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ECAPS’ hot-firing test facility is conceived as a “Green Rocket Engine Test Site” with minimal impact on the environment and greatly simplified operations – as SCAPE suits are not required for fueling or any other operations.

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The capacity of TS-1 is continuous firing of 1 N thrusters and the test stand is also used for the acceptance testing of the ECAPS 1 N HPGP Thrusters in production.

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The propellant blend with test series number 1127-3, have 20% higher density than hydrazine and combusts at a lower temperature than LMP-103S, giving a specific

impulse comparable with the Isp for hydrazine.

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For a given volume of a tank this would enhance the delta-V capability by 20%. The lower combustion temperature may enable the usage of less expensive materials for the

thrust chamber assembly as compared with the baseline design for HPGP thrusters

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The benefits of solid rockets are their storability, compactness and simplicity. No propellant delivery system is required which enables a huge improvement in reliability and cost. However, current solid rockets suffer from two major drawbacks; once ignited the thrust cannot be altered and their specific impulse is low.

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The HISP project (http://www.foi.se/en/Customer–Partners/Projects/HISP/HISP/) of the European Commission’s Seventh Framework

Program addresses the latter by developing high performance solid propellants using the high energy density oxidizer ammonium dinitramide (ADN), glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and high energy density fuels such as aluminium hydride (AlH3), micron- and nano-aluminum and activated aluminum.

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SSC / ECAPS doesn´t release an own pressrelease about the of the important Astrium-ECAPS green propellant co-operation. SSC/ECAPS only refers to Satnews, see

and

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The Astrium official pressrelease:

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18 June 2013

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Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, has entered into an agreement with ECAPS, a company of the Swedish Space Corporation Group (SSC), to jointly develop a “green” propulsion system concept, which is based on ADN technology.

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This concept focuses on the target of directing the future of space propulsion technology to sustainability, eco-friendliness and reduced toxicity on ground, and easy and safe operation capabilities in space.

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Under the terms of this agreement Astrium will initially complement its existing capabilities in the field of in-space propulsion technologies. Furthermore, this landmark initiative supports Astrium’s intention to be an environmental-friendly company.

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The cooperation sees long-term research, marketing and production collaboration between the two entities in order to further advance their cutting edge propulsion capacities. Under the new agreement Astrium will bring in its expertise and experience in manufacturing, integration and provision of satellite platforms and propulsion systems while ECAPS will provide its expertise in the development and qualification of Ammonium Dinitramide based technologies, in particular thrusters and propellant.

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Dr. Andreas Rohne, Director of Astrium’s Propulsion and Equipment said: “This agreement is the result of intense discussions following several years of cooperation between Astrium and ECAPS. Astrium is to pursue this long-term strategic partnership for the sake of both parties and the space industry in general”.

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The signing of this agreement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Astrium and ECAPS for the development of propulsion systems for future satellite propulsion systems, roll control systems for launch vehicles and many other propulsion applications yet to come.

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Ur Rymdstyrelsens Diarium

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Diarienr: RS2010-75

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Avsändare: ECAPS, Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems

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Ärendemening: HPGP för Ariane 5 ME

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Ärende-status: Öppet

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Registreringsdatum: 2010-05-18

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…….

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Diarienr: RS2012-267

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Avsändare: Astrium GmbH

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Ärendemening: Astrium GmbH Non disclosure agreement (sekretessavtal)

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Ärende-status: Avslutad

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Registreringsdatum: 2012-11-23

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……….

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From the swedish annual report ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2012_12m (scanned paper in pdf)

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( ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2012 ECAPS AB Google translate & without figures)

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Undertecknad styrelseledamot i ECAPS AB intygar härmed dels att denna kopia av årsredovisningen överensstämmer med originalet, dels att resultat- och balansräkningen samt förslaget till vinstdisposition fastställts av stämman den 3 juni 2013.

Solna, den 1 juli 2013

Jenny Klefström

ÅRSREDOVISNING RÄKENSKAPSÅRET 2012 FÖRVALTNINGSBERÄTTELSE

ECAPS AKTIEBOLAG Org nr 556602-7446 Styrelsens säte: Solna

Ägarförhållanden

ECAPS AB är sedan den 1 juli 2006 helägt dotterbolag till Svenska rymdaktiebolaget, (org nr 556166-5836, säte i Kiruna).

Bolagets verksamhet

Målet med verksamheten är att utveckla raketmotorer och framdrivningssystem för miljövänligt, flytande och lagringsbart drivmedel baserat på Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN). Denna teknik benämns High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) och sedan 2010 har denna framgångsrikt demonstrerats under missionen för den svenska satelliten PRISMA i omloppsbana runt jorden. Drivmedlet som används på PRISMA heter LMP-103S och det används tillsammans med 1 Newton (1N) raketmotorer som också är framtagna av ECAPS. Resultaten från användningen av PRISMAs framdrivningssystem med drivmedel LMP-103S och 1N raketmotorer, verifierar att prestandan för HPGP är högre än med ett konventionellt hydrazin-baserat framdrivningssystem. Bolagets framgångar med HPGP har rönt stor uppmärksamhet inom branschen och resultaten efter två års missionstid har presenterats på ett stort antal internationella konferenser och föreläsningar under verksamhetsåret. PRISMA-missionen är förlängd med ytterligare ett år och intresset från marknaden är stort. Inte minst sedan ECHA (den europeiska kemikaliemyndigheten) fört in hydrazin i kandidatförteckningen (som är en del av kemikalieförordningen REACH) över ämnen som kan ha allvarliga effekter på människors hälsa eller för miljön. så kallade “Substances of Very High Concern” eller SVHC. Den europeiska rymdorganisationen ESA och europeisk rymdindustri betraktar drivmedlet LMP-103S från ECAPS som det främsta alternativet till att ersatta hydrazin inom rimlig tid i fall ett förbud för (eller begränsning i användandet av) hydrazin träder i kraft.

ECAPS har förberett för serieproduktion av 1N raketmotorer och utvecklingsarbetet av större motorer i storlekar 5N, 22N och 200N har pågått under året med lyckade resultat. En 5N raketmotor och LMP-103S levererades till USA där inbjudna gäster från NASA och amerikansk rymdindustri bevittnade framgångsrika motorprov. Arbetet med att ta fram en demonstrationsmotor med 200N dragkraft för övre steget på Ariane 5 ME, avslutades med framgångsrika motorprov hos Astrium i Tyskland. Detta är första året som ECAPS raketmotorer testas utanför Sveriges gränser.

Arbete med materialkompatibilitet mellan LMP-103S och systemkomponenter har fortgått och dessutom har ytterligare karaktärisering av ECAPS ADN-baserade bränslen

Sid 2

genomförts. LMP-103S kan flygtransporteras genom transportklassning UN 1.4S och DOT 1.4S, vilket har demonstrerats genom flygtransporter inom Europa, till USA och till Japan under året. Produktionen av LMP-103S har framgångsrikt skalats upp för att kunna möta marknadens framtida behov.

Ett flertal offerter har under året lämnats till både europeiska och amerikanska bolag.Skybox Imaging är den första kommersiella kunden som tecknat avtal med ECAPS rörande ett framdrivningssystem till deras tredje SkySat satellit med 1N motorer, drivmedel LMP-103S och tankning av satelliten vid uppskjutningsbasen, med option på framdrivningssystem till efterföljande SkySat satelliter. Ett antal länder undersöker möjligheterna till fördjupat samarbete med Sverige. Rymdstyrelsen och ECAPS.Under året har ett avtal tecknats mellan Rymdstyrelsen och CNES gällande samarbete rörande HPGP för satellitplattformen Myriade Evolutions.

ECAPS har sedan ett antal år partnerskap med två amerikanska företag för marknadsföring på den amerikanska marknaden av ECAPS produkter. Under året har ECAPS också tecknat ett liknande partneravtal med ett europeiskt företag.

Kommersiella beställningar av både motorer och bränsle från kunder i USA har erhållits under verksamhetsåret. ECAPS har ökat fokus på amerikanska marknaden genom att upprätta ett kontor i USA. med fokus på partnerstöd i frågor rörande försäljning, marknadsföring och affärsutveckling.

Patent och skyddande av immateriella rättigheter är en viktig fråga för ECAPS och även under 2012 har ECAPS vidgat och preciserat de patent som söktes och tillfördes bolaget under tidigare år. Bolaget är certifierat enligt ISO 9001:2008.

Finansiering

Bolagets verksamhet finansieras främst av uppdrag från ESA, Rymdstyrelsen och företag i Europa och USA, samt genom tillskott från moderbolaget SSC. För 2012 har erhållits koncernbidrag om 18,2 MSEK.

Moderbolaget har beslutat att under 2013 tillskjuta kapital för finansiering av fortsatt utvecklings- och marknadsarbete.

Styrelsen, verkställande direktör

Under verksamhetsperioden har styrelsen hållit 5 styrelsemöten. Styrelsen har antagit en arbetsordning och utfärdat en instruktion för verkställande direktörens arbete.

Förslag till resultatdisposition

Bolaget visar för året en förlust om 14479 kSEK. Till följd av erhållna koncernbidrag uppgår till årsstämmans förfogande stående medel till 0 kSEK

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PRISMA (Prototype Research Instruments and Space Mission technology Advancement)

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Status of mission:

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• Fall 2013:

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In May 2013, the Mango spacecraft started an approximately one and a half year long journey towards another target object to demonstrate rendezvous and inspection within the IRIDES (Iterative Reduction of Inspection Distance with Embedded Safety) experiment. The Tango spacecraft was shut down permanently and a series of optimized orbit maneuvers were commanded to the Mango spacecraft in order to initiate the drift towards the new object. The rendezvous is expected in the second half of 2014 and will demonstrate optical relative navigation technologies and the characterization of the rendezvous object and its motion with the use of the on-board video system. The rendezvous strategy within IRIDES includes a series of collision free drift maneuvers past the rendezvous object gradually reducing the closest relative distance. IRIDES aims at demonstrating rendezvous and inspection of an uncooperative rendezvous target. The demonstrated technologies for this rendezvous are believed to play an important role in the future developments associated with space debris mitigation.

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The mission phase started with the decommissioning of Tango by permanently shutting down all systems on-board the spacecraft. This was a necessary step since Tango does not have any direct ground communication capability and only is possible to command via the intersatellite link from Mango.

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The transfer start orbit was then executed in a series of delta-V maneuvers from May 13 to June 20, 2013. The total amount of delta-V was 32 m/s. Initially, the transfer start was planned to be performed by lowering the perigee only. This could be achieved by selecting the time for the maneuver when the perigee occurs on the equators. The advantage of this approach was that the lowering of the perigee introduces some additional drag which then is possible to utilize as additional delta-V. Unfortunately, the thruster pulse firing period took longer time than expected. The main reasons were to allow for proper performance evaluation of the propulsion systems as well as the assessment of feasibility to increase the duration of each thrust pulse. As a result, there was a period in the middle of the transfer start during which no thruster pulses were fired.

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About the Green propellant AF-M315E and the Green Infusion Mission

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Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems (Ecaps), a unit of the Swedish Space Corp., has tested a different green propellant—based on ammonium dinitramide—in space. The fuel was used in tandem with a hydrazine system on the Prisma mission’s Mango satellite to maneuver in formation with a smaller spacecraft

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Swedish space officials say they were able to fuel the green system on Prisma in one day, meeting Russian safety requirements for their launch on a Dnepr-1 rocket without wearing hazmat suits. During the formation-flying operations, the Mango satellite fired thrusters using hydrazine and the LMP-103S green propellant interchangeably (AW&ST Nov. 1, 2010, p. 69).

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Ball’s GPIM spacecraft will use all five Aerojet Rocketdyne thrusters simultaneously to demonstrate attitude control, spacecraft point and hold, orbit lowering and inclination change. It will also characterize the thruster performance in space for future improvements, which could include shipping fueled spacecraft instead of fueling them at the launch site.

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“We’re looking to demonstrate about 7 kg (15 lb.) of fuel out of the entire propulsion system. That really is just for a very small spacecraft. However, as part of the overall program that we’re doing, we’re not just testing the engines and the flight engines during the overall qualification program to those levels of fuel. We’re actually testing them to 30 kg of throughput, especially on the 22N, so that we will demonstrate its compatibility with longer-life missions.”

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…………

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More links to NASA – Ball Aerospace Green Infusion Mission and the 22N-thruster which now has managed ”11 hours of continuous firing”

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Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems (Ecaps), a unit of the Swedish Space Corporation, has tested a different green propellant — based on ammonium dinitramide — in space. The fuel was used in tandem with a hydrazine system on the Prisma mission’s Mango satellite to maneuver in formation with a smaller spacecraft.

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Despite the completion of space qualification, sales of the Ecaps system have been slow to take off. Roger Myers of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Redmond, Wash., facility said the performance of the U.S. system in the ground test is better than the Swedish approach, and suggested there may be safety issues with the by-products of its evaporation.

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From http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com

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ECAPS_Overview_March_2013.pdf written by Aaron Dinardi, ECAPS ( March 19, 2013 )

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May 22, 2013

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”The collaboration of NASA GSFC and ATK to validate HPGP thruster technology enables the development of green propellant options, which hold promise for demonstrating higher performance, cost-effectiveness and the reduction of health and safety impacts to personnel and the environment,” said Dr. Christyl Johnson, NASA GSFC Deputy Director for Technology and Research Investments.

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”We are pleased to support NASA GSFC in the maturation process of the HPGP thruster technology in the U.S.,” said Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager of ATK’s Missile Products division. ”We are dedicated to making certain our products deliver mission-assured performance, improved safety and reduced life-cycle cost.”

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But….

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during the Prisma / Mango HPGP tests in 2010-2011 it happend several times that the the MOOG built-in thruster valve did not open at command, i.e it ”gummed up”.

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ATK’s Space Components and Space Systems Divisions are partnering with ECAPS, a subsidiary of the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), to provide High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) systems for Skybox Imaging’s third Earth observation satellite.

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ATK’s facility in Commerce, California will develop the propellant tanks for the first constellation build while ATK’s facility in Beltsville, Maryland is targeted for work on future constellations.

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ATK’s Missile Products Division facility in Elkton, Maryland provides the ability to blend HPGP propellant, a key capability for potential work on future builds.

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September 7, 2012 the Swedish National Space Board gave its blessing to the project according to the document below.

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Regarding that Tom Ingersoll (CEO Skybox) and Joe Rothenberg (senior advisor) worked for SSC before they joined Skybox has nobody recognized.

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15 januari 2013

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Observe the Skybox Imaging management relationship with SSC / ECAPS

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Joe Rothenberg, Technical Advisory Board Chairman

From 2002 until 2009 he served as a member of the Board of Directors and President of Universal Space Network Inc. (Stationed at SSC Solna office during 2010 – mid 2011)

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Most recently he was cofounder and CEO of Universal Space Network (USN), a leading provider of global ground station services to the satellite industry.

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Skybox Imaging is revolutionizing the use of satellite imagery and derived information products to improve the profitability of companies operating in the global economy and the welfare of societies around the world.

As we approach the launch date of our first satellite, SkySat-1, our team is focused on completing the construction of the satellite and ground infrastructure, as well as building strong relationships with our partners and customers.

See also:

ECAPS signs first U.S. commercial contract with Skybox Imaging for complete propulsion system

Skybox makes satellites but don’t call them aerospace

Skybox Imaging Completes Significant Testing Milestone Preceding Its First Satellite and Product Launch

Following the successful completion of the thermal vacuum test, the spacecraft is now undergoing final testing in Skybox’s facility in Mountain View, Calif. (Photo: Business Wire)

Aug. 23, 2011 – Skybox Imaging, Inc. said that it hired Thomas Ingersoll as its chief executive officer

See also:

SSC meets the press at The Space Foundation’s 27th National Space Symposium

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Apr. 7, 2011) — The Space Foundation will host a series of media briefings on a variety of space topics during the 27th National Space Symposium April 11-14, 2011, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. All registered reporters are welcome to attend and reporters will be able to call in on many of the briefings.

Noon — 12:30 p.m. Space Foundation Media Center

Swedish Space Corporation (SSC)

Featuring:

Lars Persson, president and CEO, SSC

Thomas Ingersoll, president and CEO, Universal Space Network

Mathias Persson, president, ECAPS

Anna Rathsman, senior vice president – corporate communications and business development, SSC, and board member, NanoSpace

Topic:

SSC, formally Swedish Space Corporation, will discuss its new strategic direction in the U.S. market, building on the acquisition of Universal Space Network and a track record of success in providing cost-effective mission critical solutions for successful space programs worldwide.

Box lunches will be served Call-in: 866-330-1200, passcode 5768000#

Contact: Jeff Carr at jeff.at.griffincg.com

Space Foundation Corporate Members 2012

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More about Skybox Imaging and Dan Berkenstock co-founder of Skybox Imaging

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Dan Berkenstock co-founder Skybox Imaging

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”2011 TR35 Winner Dan Berkenstock describes his work at EmTech 2011”

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Meet 2011 TR35 Winner Dan Berkenstock

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Meanwhile, Skybox Imaging Inc., based in Mountain View, is planning to develop more robust small satellites about the size of a mini refrigerator to gather data to sell to businesses. The company, founded in 2009 by four Stanford grad students, has raised $91 million from Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners and others.

Skybox co-founder Dan Berkenstock says that is enough to launch two satellites, the first of which it will deploy next year. He says the company aims to offer ”frequent monitoring as a service,” adding that insurance companies, farmers and Fortune 500 businesses have expressed interest in data gleaned from taking frequent shots of places like harbors or commercial centers.

These ventures are nascent, and it is unclear which, if any, of the new entrants will turn into successful businesses or even have successful launches. The companies must secure licenses from the Federal Communications Commission and, if they are taking images of Earth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The U.S. government limits the resolution that photos can be taken at to protect national security.

While the components needed to make a satellite are relatively inexpensive, communication technologies can be challenging, as can securing partnerships with space companies to launch them.

Aug 23, 2011: Skybox Imaging Founder Honored for Innovation in Satellite Imagery

Dec 5, 2011: Skybox Imaging’s Dan Berkenstock Uses Satellites To Make Sense Of The World

April 17, 2012: Skybox Imaging Raises $70 Million in New Financing

Nov 29, 2012: Skybox Imaging Completes Significant Testing Milestone Preceding Its First Satellite and Product Launch

Dec 7, 2012: 40u40: Dan Berkenstock

Links from Stanford University´s Entrepreneurship Corner

Dan Berkenstock

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Inside the Box: 66 satellite flight boards have been built in our electrical lab. pic.twitter.com/Ocfgk9oR

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Clean room?

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Baby Chase (among others) is in awe of the spacecraft development in our clean room. pic.twitter.com/bd5FfUGq

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ECAPS will design and manufacture a complete High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) system for Skybox’s third Earth observation satellite, according to Skybox

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In the U.S., a startup company called Skybox Imaging, also plans to develop a constellation of smallsats for imagery. Its first satellite, SkySat-1, is planned for launch in the coming months on a Dnepr rocket., according to SpaceRef

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The first two satellites are set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2012 aboard an International Space Company Kosmotras Dnepr rocket, according to TechCrunch

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The first satellite will be launched in 2012 on a rocket. For later launches, Skybox reportedly has an agreement with Virgin Galactic to use the LauncherOne rocket, according to Günter´s Space Place

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A maiden launch is planned for 2015 with the vehicle becoming operational in 2016. Initially, LauncherOne missions will be staged from Spaceport America, a new commercial spaceport in New Mexico, according to Günter´s Space Place

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If launch tests go according to plan, Virgin Galactic expects the LaucherOne to take its first commercial journey sometime in 2016, according to The Verge

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The low-cost nature of the satellite opens the possibility of deploying tens of satellites which, when integrated together, have the potential to image any spot on Earth within an hour, according to Ronny Votel & GPS World

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The Swedish Space Agency i.e. the Swedish National Space Board was active in the NASA-GSFC HPGP-team during 2012.

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Cut from NASA critical_path_12spring page 10 (pdf dated: May 2 2012)

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Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT)/Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM)

Proposals

– “Green Propulsion” is the latest thing in propulsion systems. Unlike standard

hydrazine systems, “Green” refers to a new family of propellants that are minimally

hazardous to human beings, has equal or better performance to hydrazine, is

easier to ship to the launch site and cost-wise is attractive in both procurement and life

cycle terms.

FPD is actively participating in one of the Center’s two green propulsion

proposals competing in this year’s OCT/TDM round and is entitled: High Performance

Green Propulsion (HPGP).

This mission will include a diverse project team including:

GSFC, MSFC, international partners and private industry.

“Green Propulsion” is in its infancy and GSFC is poised to be a major member of this growing community. Talk about a potential game changer!

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Cut from NASA critical_path_12summerfall page 20 (pdf dated: Aug 17 2012)

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Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT)/Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM)

Proposals

– “Green Propulsion” is the latest thing in propulsion systems.

Unlike standard hydrazine systems “green” refers to new propellants that are minimally

hazardous, have equal or better performance, are easier to ship and can be costeffective.

Talk about a game changer!

GSFC is a leader in the new era of our country’s utilization of these new propellants.

An example of this leadership is our central role on the High Performance Green

Propulsion (HPGP) Project that includes a diverse project team spanning: GSFC,

MSFC, private industry and the Swedish Space Agency.

The OCT announcement is expected before end-FY12.

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Cur from NASA critical_path_12winter page 17 (pdf dated: Nov 20 2012)

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Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT)/Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM)

Proposals

– “Green Propulsion” is the latest thing in propulsion systems.

Unlike standard hydrazine systems “green” refers to new propellants that are minimally

hazardous, have equal or better performance, are easier to ship and can be costeffective.

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is a leader in the new era of our country’s utilization of these new propellants.

An example of this leadership is our central role on the High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) Project that includes a diverse project team spanning GSFC, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), private industry and the Swedish Space Agency.

Here too the Center’s proposal was edged out…but it must have been a difficult decision. Thanks and appreciation to the HPGP Team for all their efforts on behalf of GSFC!

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På ECAPS håller man på att blanda ADN (Ammonium DiNitramide) dvs LMP-103S för att göra ”propellant-lösningen” mer köldtålig.

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Se patentansökningen: WO2012166046A2 (text) & WO2012166046A3 (litteratursökning)

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Kan det hela ha något att göra med att HAN (HydroxylAmmonium Nitrate) klarar kyla ner till -30C? se: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 48 No. 4 (December 2011)

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På SSC:s ECAPS-sida kan man läsa följande:

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The propulsion system was integrated on the PRISMA Main satellite ”Mango” in September 2007. Apart from PRISMA, ECAPS will deliver 1N engines to two satellites in the American CICERO mission.

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Den svenska staten har lagt ner minst 200 milj SEK på GRÖNT raket-bränsle som ”ingen” vill köpa då SSC/Ecaps innehar patenten till tekniken.

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NASA & US AirForce vill förstås inte köpa bränsle som svenska staten har patent på och utvecklar därför egen teknik där bränslet ”kallas” HAN eller specifikt AF-M315E.

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Se ett dokument från Plasma Processes, LLC där man presenterar tekniken bakom de hög-temperatur-tåliga ”monolithic catalyst substrates and bed plates” till thrustrar för HAN och ADN-bränslen.

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Apropå CICERO se länk till företaget bakom idén: http://geooptics.com/ & en artiklel från Nature: http://www.nature.com/news/microsatellites-aim-to-fill-weather-data-gap-1.11903

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Mig säger innehållet på GeoOptics hemsida att ECAPS inte har någon leverans säkrad på de utlovade 8 st 1N thrustrar som man hoppats på sedan maj 2009.

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Se också:

Ansökan avseende Svensk rymdteknikutveckling

ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2007_12m

ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2008_12m

ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2009_12m

ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2010_12m

ECAPS_Aktiebolag_2011_12m

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Vad vill rymdstyrelsen idag? (se nedan sid 31 i strategi-dokumentet från 2007)

Grönt bränsle

Baserat på en idé av Rymdbolaget och FOI har Rymdstyrelsen stött en tidig utveckling av ett högeffektivt bränsle för raketer och satelliter som dessutom är väsentligt mera miljövänligt än de som används idag.

Bränslet kan användas för olika ändamål, allt från att hålla alla sorters satelliter i sina banor

till att justera bärraketers banor under uppsändning. Samma bränsle är också av intresse för de länder som utvecklar missiler för annat än civila ändamål.

Utvecklingen av detta mera effektiva och miljövänliga framdrivningssystem är ett exempel på en utveckling av en helt ny produkt som ersätter en gammal.

ESA har uppmärksammat utvecklingen i Sverige, som är klart världsledande, och de har inkluderat den i den pågående harmoniseringen. Utvecklingen inkluderar också forskning vid Chalmers och KTH för framtagning av nya material och tester görs vid FOI:s anläggningar.

Utvecklingen av hela framdrivningssystemet sker i ett bolag, Ecaps, som tidigare var samägt av Volvo Aero Corporation och Rymdbolaget.

Volvo Aero har lämnat projektet av strategiska skäl och Rymdstyrelsen ser fördelar

med att Rymdbolaget hittar en internationell partner för att sprida framtida utvecklingskostnader på fler händer trots att det riskerar att delar av teknikutvecklingen och därmed framtida arbete hamnar utomlands.

Rymdstyrelsens anslag räcker inte till för att ensamt stödja nästa steg av utvecklingen.

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Princeton hjälper SSC med att marknadsföra HPGP på den amerikanska ”rymdmarknaden” genom sin Space Rapid Transit (SRT) dvs ett försök att sälja in transporter till ISS

SRT is a class of horizontally-launched, horizontally landing fully reusable two-stage to orbit vehicles. This concept is not new and was the basis for the German Saenger and NASA Beta concepts. SRT-M is designed to bring 425 kg payloads to the International Space Station. The SRT-C is a larger vehicle designed to bring 6 astronauts and 1000 kg to the ISS.

Dual fuel permits the Ferry Stage to easily move the SRT between airfields. Stage separation occurs and a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen rocket engine, the Pratt & Whitney RL 10B-2 for the SRT-M and the SSME for the SRT-C, takes the Upper Stage into earth orbit. The reaction control system on the Upper Stage would use the Swedish Space Corporation’s HPGP Thruster which use a green propellant. This would simplify ground operations.

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http://smsc.cnes.fr/MYRIADE-EVOLUTIONS/PDF/Papier_Portoroz.pdf

MYRIADE EVOLUTIONS PROGRAM

The program aims to develop and qualify a platform product available for the period 2015-2025.

This platform product line will offer a platform for scientific, defense and industrial applications.

As per for the fist generation, low cost, adaptability, short planning are the main drivers of the Myriade Evolutions program.

The flight domain has been redefined in order to cope with the probable missions over this period :

Earth observation and monitoring, sun and space observation (from LEO), defense program. These led to specify a range of 500 – 800 km altitude, SSO orbits for all LTAN. The specified in orbit lifetime is 5 years, with extended qualification to 7 years when possible.

The program shall produce a satellite design, a selection of off the shelf product, the specification and qualification of specific products, and mathematical models in order to make easier the design, development and qualification of application missions. Myriade Evolutions program will be compliant with CNES ISIS Standard, in order to ensure the satellite operability by the ISIS Command and Control Center, whose development is starting in 2012.

The development of necessary simulators and databases are part of the program and will be available for application missions.

For EEE parts selection , the approach is to compliant with ECSS class 3 policy. This approach is compatible with COTS components when associated to specific test campaign for radiation aspects and packaging.

The satellite design will be optimized for internal and external positions of Soyuz, VEGA and will be compatible with Dniepr, Rockot and PSLV.

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Except thrusters, all the propulsion sub-system elements are compatible of the ADN green propellant.

The impacts (electrical, thermal…) of replacing the hydrazine by green propellant are under study.

The final baseline for propellant choice will be chosen in 2012 depending on REACH final decisions and accommodation studies.

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ANNEX XV – IDENTIFICATION OF HYDRAZINE AS SVHC

ADN-based monopropellants (two different formulations developed in Sweden) have already found some practical experimental use.

The PRISMA mission was recently launched on ADN-based fuel and results so far appear to be satisfactory.

ADN-based formulations are less hazardous than anhydrous hydrazine, are claimed by their developers to have good compatibility with materials currently used in commercially available thrusters and can deliver a significant (up to 30%) increase in density-specific impulse over anhydrous hydrazine.

However, they do require product re-design for thrusters with a thrust level above 1 N.

In addition, ignition needs to be further explored; hydrazine propellants use catalytic ignition, which is simple and reliable.

To replace hydrazine, an ADN-based monopropellant must be as easy to ignite. The high combustion chamber temperature is a matter of concern since it might deteriorate a catalyst bed.

The European Space Agency but also leading organisations and companies involved in Europe’s space programme have voiced strong concerns on the readiness of ADN-based propellants to replace hydrazine even in the longer term, whilst the use of hydrazine is based on extensive research and experience over the last 50-60 years.

The Agency in particular has expressed the opinion that no alternative to hydrazine in propulsion is available in the long-term and emphasised that the secured supply of hydrazine is vital for the current and future success of the European space programme.

Experience with the performance of a propellant on a geostationary satellite is a prerequisite before it is considered a feasible alternative and such testing would require at least 15 years. Issues of the autonomy, strategic position and competitiveness of the European aerospace industry should also be taken into account.

Additional comments on the potential shortcomings of ADN-based alternatives are provided in Confidential Annex 4.

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Time and Space Resolved Measurements from Rocket Engines

En examensarbete av Erik Fors (Nedan Foto Ecaps AB)

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Den svenska staten utvecklar 2 bränslen ADN-baserade gröna raketbränslen, LMP-103S genom SSC & FLP-106 genom det svenska försvaret.

Läs dokumenten om ADN – gröna raketbränslen och varför ingen? vill använda HPGP, inte ens det svenska försvaret (SSCs patent)

Se also: Part_from_Initial-development-of-a-labratory-rocket-thruster-for-ADN-based-liquid-monopropellants

FLP-106 (one page) Characterization of the ADN-based liquid monopropellant FLP-106

3 documents about ADN-based propellants type FLP-106 ( & LMP-103S)

ADN-based (+ FLP-106 versus LMP-103S )

InTech-Green_propellants_based_on_ammonium_dinitramide_adn

ADN-based (but not LMP-103S)

Formulation-and-characterization-of-ADN-based-liquid-monopropellants

Electrical ignition of new environmental friendly propellants for rockets and spacecrafts More from FOI about ADN propellants

EU & DLR test green propellants i.e. FLP-106 but not LMP-103S

EU: General_GRASP Presentation

DLR: Institute of Space Propulsion_Status_Report_Teil_1

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8 dec 2012

Launcher Propulsion, Programm Wintersemester 2012/2013

Technische Universität München – Fakultät Maschinenwesen

Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching

Montags, 15:45 Uhr – 17:15 Uhr, Raum 1639

17.12.2012 Green Satellite Propulsion

Mathias Persson, ECAPS, Stockholm

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28 november 2012

Robert Cumming, Popast, intervjuar Anna & Mathias på ECAPS om framtidsutsikterna för HPGP

NASA ratade gröna bränslet – men svenska ECAPS ger inte upp

Det såg ljust ut. I somras levererades en uppskalad version av motorn som testades på Prismasatelliterna. Motorn har också visats upp för flera underleverantörer till NASA.

Men i oktober meddelades att uppdraget istället gått till amerikanska Ball Industries och deras samarbetspartner Aerojet. Mathias Persson, vd för ECAPS, är sammanbiten.

– Alla hade trott att det skulle vara fler än en som skulle väljas. Men man valde en amerikansk lösning som har utvecklats under 20 år av USA:s flygvapen, säger han.

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Engineers at Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center prepare to test safer ‘green’ space propellant

The new propellant, AF-M315E, seems to have some clear advantages over hydrazine.

The green propellant’s vapor pressure is lower than hydrazine’s. That means that it doesn’t boil or explosively expand when exposed to the atmosphere and that extra-thick tank walls aren’t needed to contain it.

AF-M315E also is denser than hydrazine, so its fuel tank can be as much as 40 percent smaller. That frees up precious room on a satellite or spacecraft for additional science gear or other payloads.

Finally, the green propellant is more efficient than its hydrazine counterpart. Rocket fuels are judged by something called specific impulse. It’s a measure of the amount of fuel needed to achieve a certain momentum — basically, a propellant’s pushing power.

AF-M315E has a higher specific impulse than hydrazine, so less of it is needed to do the same amount of pushing work. Less fuel means less weight, another key consideration when every additional ounce costs more money to boost into orbit.

Potential downside: Not a simple swap

With all those benefits, AF-M315E seems like a slam-dunk. But it has a potential downside: it burns much hotter than hydrazine. So satellite and spacecraft makers can’t just swap one propellant for the other.

AF-M315E isn’t a simple ”drop-in” replacement fuel, like ethanol for gasoline. The catalyst material that ignites the green propellant, and the engine housings where the combustion occurs, have to be upgraded to withstand the higher temperature.

We have answers for all of these but . . . you have to replace them all and make sure they’re able to be changed,” said Matthew Deans, an aerospace engineer with NASA Glenn’s propulsion and propellants branch who’s on the green propellant team. In ground tests, engineers from the Air Force and satellite maker Aerojet Corp. have run a prototype high-heat green propellant thruster for as much as 11 hours — far longer than the few-second pulses that engines typically fire when correcting a satellite’s position.

But the prototype thruster has to be slimmed down for flight aboard the demonstration mission’s spacecraft, which is only about the size of a two-drawer file cabinet. The team must verify that the lighter engine can still handle the heat.

Because of NASA Glenn’s decades of experience with space propulsion, and its work with the Air Force on hydrazine alternatives, the center’s engineers will oversee development of the new propulsion system.

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ECAPS @ Small Satellite Conferance Aug 2012.

Aaron Dinardi´s presentation och motsvarande “paper”.

Kuriosa i sammanhanget är att det framgår av “the paper” att ECAPS “holds a numerous worldwide patents” samt att HPGP-4 föregick launchen av Prisma.

Att vi (jag) på SSC-DHS som designade elektroniken som kontrollerade HPGP / Hydrazine systemen inte fick någon som helst feedback från körningarna i rymden, kan kanske också kallas kuriosa (om man är snäll)

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Augusti 2012: HPGP är nu ett varumärke ägt av ECAPS Aktiebolag

Brann AB är ECAPS ombud i denna fråga om immateriella rättigheter.

Ecaps Aktiebolags Trademark HPGP

Dokument från US patent Office

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15 augusti 2012 – NASA RELEASE : 12-281

WASHINGTON — NASA has selected a team led by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation of Boulder, Colo., for a technology demonstration of a high performance ”green” propellant alternative to the highly toxic fuel hydrazine. With this award, NASA opens a new era of innovative and non-toxic green fuels that are less harmful to our environment, have fewer operational hazards, and decrease the complexity and cost of launch processing.

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Läs vidare här.

NASASpaceFlight.com Forum > General Discussion > Live Event Section – Latest Space Flight News > Topic: NASA Selects Green Propellant Technology Demonstration Mission

Vissa OBS obekräftade rykten gör gällande att SSCs VD Stefan Gardefjord var i USA runt dagarna då NASA släppte pressreleasen för ”affärer” rörande ECAPS.

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Under våren / sommaren 2012 har NASA gått ut med följande ”Offers”

NASA Offers Up To $50 Million For ‘Green’ Spacecraft Propellant Work (uppdaterad 2012-06-19) med länk till proposal eller se dokument nedan (pdf:ade)

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Proposals are due April 30, with selection of one or more tentatively set for July. The competition is open to U.S. organizations and to non-U.S. potential participants – with the exception of China – and with some other restrictions in place. NASA has been barred by Congress from funding joint space activities with China.

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BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT – PROPOSALS DUE – April 30, 2012

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT – PROPOSALS DUE – April 30, 2012 – Amendment No. 1 – March 6, 2012

Q26. With the successful flight of the Prisma mission and demonstration of the SSC/ECAPS High Performance Green Propellant (HPGP) with 1-N thrusters by the Swedish National Space Board, one can arguably assert that this class of thruster and propellant type have NNM12ZZP03K already been demonstrated to a TRL-7. Is NASA interested in flying a similar class of mission demonstrating a plurality of 1-N thrusters achieving full RCS control of a small satellite or would NASA rather demonstrate a larger thruster class able to impart significantly higher impulse and delta-V (or demonstrate both RCS and delta-V)? If yes to the latter, which is most important in a cost constrained program?

A26: As the TDM BAA states in the Topic Area description: Demonstrations of complete

propulsion systems are desired. Demonstrations may include one or more thrust and/or

power generation classes. It is up to the offeror as to the technology demonstration mission that is proposed. A demonstration that advances a green propellant technology that is TRL 5 or higher, at time of proposal submission, to a TRL of 7 or greater, after demonstration, would be within the scope of this solicitation.

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT – PROPOSALS DUE – April 30, 2012 – Amendment No. 2 – April 4, 2012

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Finns det någon ”obstakel” till total framgång eller är det bara att köra på?

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ECAPS startar upp business i USA och adressen dvs

2900 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington, District Of Columbia 20007

går till House of Sweden dvs samma hus som svenska ambasaden i Washington huserar i.

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En ”check” av ecaps-us.com se http://whois.domaintools.com/ecaps-us.com

(se email-adress nedan)

The mangement at ECAPS Inc, Aaron Dinardi Washington DC, House of Sweden

See: Aaron Dinardi_Speaker Bios

Company Name: ECOLOGICAL ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS, INC Status: Active Filing Date: 04/11/2012 Entity Type: For-Profit Corporation File Number: C00004548721 Filing State: District of Columbia (DC) Company Age: 3 Months Principal Address:

2900 K Street Nw

Suite# 501

Washington, District Of Columbia 20007

f.d. HR admin från USN jobbar nu som PHR på konsultbasis

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/benita-kovalesky-phr/12/678/814

Aaron T. Dinardi represemterar också ECAPS Inc, se

smallsat.org_session_iii

samt klargörandet om HPGP i

Aerospace-America_June_2012_page_6-7

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ADN-bränsle i fast form. En konkurrent eller…?

Här finns info om ADN-bränsle i fast form eller sk ”Prills” och EU-projektet HISP (High Performance Solid Propellants for In-Space Propulsion) + länk till EU-CORDIS om HISP

Läste i en doktors-avhandling från KTH om ADN som grön ”oxidizer” i främst fast raket-bränsle. Green-Propellants_Martin-Rahm_Doctoral-Thesis_Stockholm-2010

Även om avhandlingen var minst sagt ”svårgenomtränglig” för en icke kemist gav den ändå ”hintar” om att ADN är ett svårförståeligt salt med många ”oupptäckta sidoeffekter”. (Kan tänka mig att ”klibbande” ventiler kan var en dylik sidoeffekt?)

Ett dokument från FOI-forskarna (2004) skänker också ljus över ADN som ”oxidizer” men i löst form.

Formulation-and-characterization-of-ADN-based-liquid-monopropellants

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13 augusti 2012

Look at this interesting presentation about HAN (AF-M315E) and ADN (LMP-103S) from Air Force Research Laboratory (HAN) and ECAPS (ADN)

held at the 15th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference, 13 August 2012, Huntsville, AL

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Launcher Propulsion, Programm Wintersemester 2012/2013

Technische Universität München – Fakultät Maschinenwesen

Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching

Montags, 15:45 Uhr – 17:15 Uhr, Raum 1639

17.12.2012 Green Satellite Propulsion

Mathias Persson, ECAPS, Stockholm

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4 september 2012

Institutsseminar des DLR Instituts für Raumfahrtsysteme

High Performance Green Propulsion for Space Applications

Datum 04.09.2012, Uhrzeit 14:30 Uhr

großer Sitzungssaal im 2. Obergeschoß

Robert Hooke Straße 7, 28359 Bremen

Referent: Kjell Anflo, Chief Engineer,

Head of Research and Advanced Development ECAPS AB, Sweden

Från april 2012: Institute Seminar DLR Bremen (sparad den 2 september i pdf)

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04.09.2012 2:40 pm K. Anflo/ M. Person ECAPS HPGP

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Söker man på nätet i augusti 2012 hittar man t.ex. att U.S. Rep. Harris talks defense spending at ATK

U.S. Rep. Andy Harris paid a visit to the Alliant Techsystems plant in Elkton on Friday, to see some of the newest technology the company has been working on.

The First District Republican was introduced to various new projects ATK has been developing. One project was a ‘green’ propulsion system that was developed by ATK alongside ECAPS, a Swedish space company. This technology is an environmentally friendly system that gives satellites and spacecraft the ability to move.

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Från Federal Business Opportunities

H–HIGH PERFORMANCE GREEN PROPULSIOIN TESTING

Synopsis:

Added: Sep 13, 2012 2:54 pm

NASA/GSFC has a requirement to test a 5 Newton (1-lbf) High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) thruster. NASA/GSFC intends to procure services from ATK. It is our understanding that ATK is the only vendor that can provide the HPGP thruster test article and the LMP-103s propellant that is required for thruster operation and testing. Questions regarding this acquisition must be directed to the attention of Antwan G. Reid via e-mail at Antwan.G.Reid.at.nasa.gov or via facsimile at (301) 286-8371 by 3:00pm EST, September 24, 2012.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

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Juli – augusti 2012

99–22N THRUSTER AND AMMONIUM DINITRIMIDE PROPELLANT BLEND LMP-103S

Om sidan ovan är otillgänglig se pdf nedan.

99–22N THRUSTER AND AMMONIUM DINITRIMIDE PROPELLANT BLEND LMP-103S – NNM12441217Q – Federal Business Opportunities_ Opportunities

NASAs officiella dokument (i pdf) se nedan

Statement of Work LMP-152538-OTHER-001-001

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Terms and Conditions LMP-152538-OTHER-001-002

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NASA-TechTransferNews-Winter12

Opportunities in Propulsion Systems, VOLUME 10, NUMBER 1 | WINTER 2012

DEVELOPING GREENER PROPULSION

As a result, NASA Goddard is focused on using propellants other than hydrazine. One possible alternative is a propellant called LMP-103S, which is significantly less toxic than hydrazine. Developed in Sweden, LMP-103S is a blended monopropellant which contains ammonium dinitramide (ADN). It also offers more stability and lower storage cost. According to Dr. Driscoll, this technology has an advantage over other potential propellants in that it has already demonstrated its effectiveness in space. “LMP-103S is currently flying on PRISMA, a Swedish National Space Board funded mission. And so far, it’s working fine.”

Other propellants being considered for NASA Goddard propulsion systems include NOFBX, a nitrous oxide blended monopropellant from Firestar Technologies, and AF-M315E, a blended monopropellant being developed by the U.S. Air Force. “NASA Goddard doesn’t develop propellants in-house,” notes Dr. Driscoll. “But we can play an important role in their development. For example, we can help provide in-flight qualification.”

Nedan. Se intressanta länkar/dokument om AF-315E & LMP-103S och allmänt om ”propulsion”

A Review of United States Air Force and Department of Defense Aerospace Propulsion Needs (En bok på nätet. Bläddra kapitel och sidor med pilarna ”ovan texten”)

Reduced Toxicity, High Performance Monopropellant at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

R&D of Energetic Ionic Liquids

Ionic Monopropellant Product Characterization

FORM B – PROPOSAL SUMMARY

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Christyl Johnson´s interest i.e. NASA´s in ADN AmmoniumDiNitramide, the ”oxidizer” in ECAPS propellant LMP-103S ( HPGP ) is fully shown in the paper, see link below

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From the ”abstract” – as pdf: IAC-11,D3,4,8,x11414.brief.pdf

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We discuss life cycle cost analysis in this context, including a summary of recent site visits and discussions with stakeholders within NASA. Site visits will be conducted at key facilities responsible for operations with the current fuels and potential replacement fuels.

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Sites being considered for visits include the orbite