The main objective of SGAN-Next is to develop a fully European GaN on SiC foundry process and demonstrate outstanding performance at high frequency beyond Q-band, through the design of efficient and robust SSPA, LNA and switch devices for flexible LEO/GEO payloads. For this purpose, the project led by SENER as satellite equipment manufacturer, includes an epitaxy manufacturer (SweGaN), an industrial foundry (UMS), a research foundry (FBH) and two Universities (UNIBO and UAB). Moreover, the consortium count on the two main European satellite prime contractors (ADS and TAS) for the conceptual definition of services and the required system to answer market demand. SGaN-Next aims to secure a European supply chain with GaN epitaxial wafers provided by SweGaN. For this new process, Q/V band power cells will be designed making use of novel processing modules and epitaxial concepts which reduce parasitic losses and increase thermal drain to heat sink. In parallel, UMS provides access to its 0.1-µm GaN technology (GH10-10), which will be optimized and submitted to a space qualification assessment through two runs available for MMICs design and validation. Microwave characterisation of GaN technology performance by model refinement and device characterisation will be addressed to improve MMIC design process along the project. As highly efficient PAs are essential for Telecom active antennas with high number of active units, at least three PAs design concepts are proposed to answer the needs identified at equipment level. The efficiency has a critical impact on the extra power demanded to the system and the increased complexity to dissipate. On the reception side, a design of a LNA as well as a switch for robust RF front-end will be addressed. Last, but not least, packaging techniques will be evaluated for space use and finally, a demonstrator of an SSPA for actual antenna systems based on the designed MMIC’s will be developed and tested under space environmental conditions.

Unrestricted access to Space low shock non-explosive actuators has been identified as an urgent action by the European Commission, the European Space Agency and the European Defence Agency. Project REACT proposal is oriented to permit the unrestricted access of Europe to the technology of high reliable non-explosive actuators based on SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) technology. The REACT (REsettable Hold-Down and Release ACTuator) device is a new Hold Down and Release Actuator (HDRA) for space applications that have been developed as an improved alternative to currently available devices. Specifically, the proposed project is focused on develop low shock resettable Hold Down and Release actuators and qualify them integrated in real space final user space applications that require this release devices, such as big structures deployment, space science payload subsystems deployment, launchers subsystems deployment and small satellites subsystems deployment. The TRL (Technology Readiness Level) expected to be obtained once the project concluded shall be 8. REACT project is aimed to optimize and evolve standard REACT devices designs recently qualified up to TRL6 in order to match the requirements of specific applications demanded by the space market and generate a competitive range of products. The product optimized for space market applications will be able to replace and improve the performance of currently available US components in different areas of application (launchers, science, telecom and Earth Observation applications). REACT project contemplates to develop new SMA material manufacturing techniques and new SMA alloys that fit the specific requirements of the final users also involved in the project. In addition, research and improve the actuator tribology will be a technical objective to be addressed during the project development. Finally it is addressed a complete qualification campaign in order to upgrade to TRL8 the REACT models.

The Airframe ITD aims at re-thinking and developing the technologies as building blocks and the “solution space” on the level of the entire or holistic aircraft: pushing aerodynamics across new frontiers, combining and integrating new materials and structural techniques – and integrating innovative new controls and propulsion architectures with the airframe; and optimizing this against the challenges of weight, cost, life-cycle impact and durability.

The Systems ITD will develop and build highly integrated, high TRL demonstrators in major areas such as power management, cockpit, wing, landing gear, to address the needs of future generation aircraft in terms of maturation, demonstration and Innovation. Integrated Cockpit Environment for New Functions & Operations - D1: Extended Cockpit - D24: Enhanced vision and awareness - D25: Integrated Modular Communications Innovative Cabin and Cargo technologies - D2: Equipment and systems for Cabin & Cargo applications Innovative and Integrated Electrical Wing Architecture and Components - D3: Smart Integrated Wing Demonstrator - D4: Innovative Electrical Wing Demonstrator Innovative Technologies and Optimized Architecture for Landing Gears - D5: Advanced Landing Gears Systems - D6: Electrical Nose Landing Gear System - D7: Electrical Rotorcraft Landing Gear System - D17: Advanced Landing Gear Sensing & Monitoring System High Power Electrical Generation and Conversion Architecture - D8.1: Innovative Power Generation and Conversion for large A/C - D8.2: Innovative Power Generation and Conversion for small A/C Innovative Energy Management Systems Architectures - D9: Innovative Electrical and Control/Command Networks for distribution systems - D10: HVDC Electrical Power Network Demonstrator Innovative Technologies for Environmental Control System - D11: Next Generation EECS for Large A/C - D12: Next Generation EECS Demonstrator for Regional A/C - D13: Next Generation Cooling systems Demonstrators - D16: Thermal Management demonstration on AVANT test rig Ice protection demonstration - D14: Advanced Electro-thermal Wing Ice Protection Demonstrator - D15: Ice Detection System Small Air Transport (SAT) Innovative Systems Solutions - D18, D19, D21: More Electric Aircraft level 0 - D20: Low power de-ice for SAT - D22: Safe and Comfortable Cabin - D23: Affordable future avionic solution for small aircraft ECO Design T2: Production Lifecycle Optimisation Long-term Technologies T1: Power Electronics T3: Modelling and Simulation Tools for System Integration on Aircraft

HERA will identify and trade-off the concept of a regional aircraft, its key architectures, develop required aircraft-level technologies and integrate the required enablers in order to meet the -50% technology-based GHG emission set in SRIA for a Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft. The HERA aircraft, having a size of approximately of 50-100 seats, will operate in the regional and short-range air mobility by mid-2030 on typical distances of less than 500 km (inter-urban regional connections). The aircraft will be ready for future inter-modal and multi-modal mobility frameworks for sustainability. The HERA aircraft will include hybrid-electric propulsion based on batteries or fuel cells as energy sources supported by SAF or hydrogen burning for the thermal source, to reach up to 90% lower emissions while being fully compliant with ICAO noise rules. The HERA aircraft will be ready for entry into service by mid-2030, pursuing to the new certification rules, able to interact with new ground infrastructure, supporting new energy sources. This will make HERA aircraft ready for actual revenue service offering to operators and passengers sustainable, safe and fast connectivity mean at low GHG emissions HERA will quantitatively trade innovative aircraft architectures and configurations required to integrate several disruptive enabling technologies including high voltage MW scale electrical distribution, thermal management, new wing and fuselage as well as the new hybrid-electric propulsion and related new energy storage at low GHG. To support this unprecedented integration challenge, HERA will develop suitable processes, tools and simulation models supporting the new interactions, workshare in the value chain and interfaces among systems and components. HERA will also elaborate on the future demonstration strategy of a hybrid–electric regional aircraft in Phase 2 of Clean Aviation to support the high TRL demonstration required for an early impact for HERA solutions.