Ice2Thrust and APACE join forces to advance space sustainability and energy innovation

At Ice2Thrust.Space (S4I2T) we are excited to announce our partnership with APACE, a fellow groundbreaking Pathfinder Portfolio project.

Together, we will collaborate to advance the development of innovative technologies that promote long-term in-space self-sustainability, focusing on solutions to meet the growing energy demands in space and on Earth.

In this partnership, we will actively support one another by sharing updates, achievements, and events across our respective networks. This collaboration will enhance the visibility and impact of both Ice2Thrust.Space and APACE within the global space community. Furthermore, we plan to promote key findings and developments, including APACE’s groundbreaking bio-inspired laser technology, while exploring joint opportunities for webinars and events that benefit both our audiences.

“We at Ice2Thrust.Space team are thrilled about our collaboration with APACE. Our partnership is built on our shared goals, working together to amplify our successes and create lasting impact in the realm of sustainable space exploration.”

About Ice2Thrust.Space

Ice2Thrust.Space (S4I2T) is an EU-funded project (GA number 101161690) that seeks to develop a next generation solar electric water propulsion system and investigate and advance the in-space resource utilisation and mobility architecture around it. The project started on 1 September 2024 and spans 36 months, with the ambitious goal of achieving several breakthroughs in solar-powered propulsion technology, in-situ resource utilisation and AI for mobility in space, addressing key technological challenges and bottlenecks.

The project seeks to offer a high-performance platform enabling autonomous spacecraft docking and propellant refilling, promoting economic and environmental sustainability, and facilitating in-orbit servicing, robotics, and in-space manufacturing. The project explores in-space water extraction and utilisation from celestial bodies, contributing to a self-sustaining circular space economy based on solar energy harvesting.

More about Ice2Thrust.Space:

Website: Ice2Thrust.Space

LinkedIn: Ice2Thrust.Space

Bluesky: Ice2Thrust.Space

About APACE

APACE is an EU-funded initiative under the Horizon Europe Pathfinder Challenges. This project brings together world-leading institutions to develop a revolutionary way of harnessing the energy stored in sunlight by up-conversion into a laser beam. APACE is developing a groundbreaking bio-inspired sunlight-pumped laser that uses photosynthetic complexes to convert diffuse sunlight into a coherent laser beam.

This laser will operate with significantly enhanced efficiency, even under unconcentrated sunlight, making it a highly effective solar harvesting technology for space. With the potential to be fabricated on space stations, it could offer scalable solutions similar to photovoltaic panels. The energy generated can be used for in-situ production, such as hydrogen generation, and for wireless power transmission via infrared laser beams, addressing both space and Earth’s growing energy demands.

More about APACE:

Website :APACE.eu

LinkedIn :APACE – Biolaser