Liquid metal ion thrusters (LMITs) are a type of electric propulsion system used for spacecraft. They work by ionizing and accelerating metal ions to generate thrust. The metal is typically either gallium or indium, which is heated into a liquid state and fed to the emitter. When a strong electric field is applied between the emitter and an extractor electrode, it pulls positively charged ions from the liquid metal surface at the tip of the needles. These ions are then accelerated by the electric field to extremely high velocities.

The development of efficient catalysts which utilise solar energy to convert CO2 to produce value-added chemicals or fuels is extremely appealing since it can simultaneously reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy storage solutions, with direct applications in both terrestrial and non-terrestrial environments. In recent years, novel solid catalysts such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have demonstrated great potential in energy conversion systems.

Advanced green energy generation concepts like space-based solar power (SBSP) have extensively been studied in the past and interest in these concepts has increased recently. To prepare for future decision making on SBSP, ESA has initiated a preparatory initiative called SOLARIS. In November 2022, funding for this initiative was approved at the ESA Council at Ministerial Level. Previous studies have shown that implementing space-based solar power (SBSP) is challenging due to the demand for tremendously large infrastructures that require numerous launches with large masses.

Aerobraking phase of ENVISION is critical in terms of duration and required operations. One limitation during aerobraking is the temperature reached on Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) due to the aerothermal heat flux.MLIs can withstand during short durations (intermittent exposure) higher temperatures than their steady state qualification temperature.

The interest of having in the near future an available Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) service supporting future missions to and at the Moon is currently supported by both institutional and commercial initiatives. On the commercial side, multiple companies are developing business solutions targeting the Moon and several major European companies are proposing to team up to build a communications network on the Moon compatible to terrestrial standards. In parallel, NASA has recently announced its plans to a ?Return to the moon?

The core objective of MBSE-IT was to provide a digital link between ground segment systems and the infrastructure on which the software is deployed and it was implemented by the definition of a physical deployment model for the system as a dedicated viewpoint on the overall system model for the ground segment.

This de-risk activity has successfully demonstrated that the use of the component level length scales over compound length scales in the calculation of heating rates can lead to a significant over-prediction in component temperatures.