Horizon Europe, the European funding program dedicated to research and innovation, has allocated 5M€ to support the European Bench for Engine and Stage Testing (Eu-BEST) project. Coordinated by EES-Clemessy, Eu-BEST is supported by a consortium of key players in the European space industry.
The common ambition of the seven participating companies is to develop a network of interoperable ground facilities, catering to multiple launcher needs, with the aim of facilitating space access while reducing costs (CAPEX and OPEX).
Officially initiated on November 1st, 2023, Eu-BEST is the result of a collaborative effort involving EES-Clemessy, Spacedreams, OHB Digital Connect, the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), Pangea Aerospace, SUAS Aerospace, and Aeroports de Catalunya. The primary objective is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of interoperable, modular, and mobile testing systems.
This project brings a revolutionary approach to ground segment that offers generic services, with a targeted goal of conducting 200 tests annually, priced at approximately €25,000 each (excluding propellants), for engines with thrust capacities of up to 500kN. The consortium envisions a transformative paradigm where various specimens can undergo testing on a shared infrastructure throughout different stages of their lifecycle (qualification, production, reuse).
Eu-BEST aims to engage various interest groups, including ground support industry stakeholders, launchers manufacturers, spaceports, and institutional bodies, to tailor innovative technical solutions and economic models that meet end-user needs.
As a testament to the project's progress, Pangea Aerospace's 300 kN ARCOS aerospike engine is scheduled for hot-fire-testing on Eu-BEST infrastructure, a pivotal milestone to be achieved at the Lleida-Alguaire Aeroports de Catalunya site. This test signifies Eu-BEST's tangible contributions towards Europe's objectives of bolstering sovereignty in space access.
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