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1、Propulsion systems for spacePatent insight reportMay 2024PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|02ContentsExecutive Summary 031.Space propulsion 061.1.Introduction to the propulsion market .061.2.Propulsion as a key enabler.061.3.Space propulsion systems.081.3.1.Chemical propulsio

2、n.081.3.2.Electric propulsion .091.3.3.Alternative space propulsion .101.3.4.Technology developments.111.4.The study.121.5.Using patent information.131.6.Methodology.132.Analysis of patents 152.1.Breakdown by region.152.1.1.International breakdown.152.1.2.Europe-specific findings.212.2.Divided by pr

3、opulsion principles.252.2.1.Overall picture.252.2.2.Chemical propulsion.282.2.3.Electric propulsion.322.2.4.Alternative propulsion concepts.362.2.5.Propellants.383.Conclusion 41Glossary and notes 43Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesPRO

4、PULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|03Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesExecutive SummaryPropulsion is a key element in all space activities because it provides the fundamental function of producing thrust to move la

5、unchers,satellites,and other assets from Earth to space or within space.Space propulsion encompasses different principles,most prominently chemical and electric propulsion concepts as well as alternative and emerging concepts accompanied by a variety of propellants and even“fuel-less”concepts,such a

6、s solar sails.The significance of propulsion capabilities stems from their transversal enabling role for a spectrum of applications,including access to space;collision avoidance;on-orbit servicing,assembly,manufacturing and space exploration.For this study a total number of 4559 patent families file

7、d at 52 patent authorities have been identified with applicants registered in 43 countries and inventors residing in 53 countries.The data set comprises 1178 international patent families(IPF)in four distinct technology principles,namely chemical propulsion,electrical propulsion,“alternative”propuls

8、ion and propellants.Figure E1 National filings vs International Patent Family(IPF)by countryEPCUSJPCNRUCAKRILAUothers02004006008001 0001 2001 400 1 6001 800Number of patent families international not international1 7191 446140191779PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org

9、|04Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesAn analysis of patent data for space propulsion systems has revealed the following key takeaways:1.Globally,there is a notable growth in patent filing activity.Space propulsion systems have witnesse

10、d a strong increase in patent activity over the last 20 years(especially since 2011)averaging out at 9%annually.2.International patent activity is primarily concentrated among the players who have traditionally dominated the space sector.This encompasses applicants from the US,Japan,Europe(primarily

11、 France and Germany),China and Russia.Figure E2 International patent families by applicant country 060504030202005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)US FR DE JP GB CN RU CA KR SE others3.International filing a

12、ctivity of European applicants is high(37%)but following a slowing trend line.There is an absolute and relative slowdown of propulsion system development in Europe,in line with the continents stagnant position in other,especially high-tech,sectors.Despite Europes efforts to be at the forefront of cl

13、imate protection and green policies through the EUs Green Deal,the number of patent families about green propellants originating from the continent is of marginal significance.4.Electric Propulsion is on the rise.Electric propulsion has seen the largest increase in patent filings over the last 20 ye

14、ars,especially in China,and has surpassed chemical propulsion in recent years.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|05Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure E3 Technology mapLevel 1Level 2Level 31 chemical1 all1-1

15、 liquid propulsion1-1 all1-1-1 mono-propellant1-1-2 bi-propellant1-1-3 cryogenic-propulsion1-2 solid-propulsion1-3 hybrid-propulsion1-4 air-breathing-systems2 electric-propulsion2 all2-1 electrostatic2-2 electromagnetic2-3 electrothermal2-4 electric-atmospheric-breathing2-L electric-others3 alternat

16、ive3 all3-1 beamed energy propulsion3-1 all 3-1-1 solar-thermal-propulsion3-1-2 solar-sailing-propulsion3-1-3 beamed-plasma-beamed-laser3-2 nuclear-propulsion3-3 tethered-propulsion3-7 cold-gas-thrusters4 propellants4 all4-1 H2O2 or H24-2 ISRU-propellants4-3 metallic-propellants4-5 green2505007501 0

17、001 2501 5001 7502 000Number of patent families1 chemical IPF non-IPF 2 electric-propulsion IPF non-IPF 3 alternative IPF non-IPF 4 propellants IPF non-IPFPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|06Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glos

18、sary and notes1.Space propulsion1 Market analysis conducted by Boston Consulting Group(BCG)and ESPI2 ESPI launch database(2024)3 SIA/Bryce 2022 https:/ ESPI Space Venture Europe 20221.1.Introduction to the propulsion market The current momentum within the global space sector is unprecedented.In 2022

19、,there were over 1000 companies active in the market,which is twice the equivalent number of 2012.1 There is a notable movement towards commercialisation,making space a pivotal sector with substantial future benefits and potential.The number of satellite launches has seen a remarkable increase,risin

20、g from an average of 300 per year between 2010 and 2019 to over 2 800 in 20232.One of the key characteristics of the space domain in recent years has been the increasing role of private players,with SpaceX as the most prominent example.Despite experiencing significant growth,private investments in s

21、pace still constitute a small fraction of public space funding.Institutional spending in 2022 almost reached EUR 100bn3 and the growing interest from commercial entities has also sparked a surge in private sector involvement.Private capital is now playing a crucial role,amounting to over EUR 8.8bn i

22、n 20224.Propulsion is a key element in all space activities because it provides the fundamental function of producing thrust to move launchers,satellites,and other assets from Earth to space or within space.Space propulsion systems are fundamental for accessing space,enabling orbit acquisition,orbit

23、 changes,orbit maintenance,position control,station-keeping,attitude control,proximity operations,collision avoidance,disposal at end of life and deep-space manoeuvres including landing and ascent.As a result of the emerging demand for the various use cases of propulsion,as well as the recent techno

24、logical developments,companies working in the propulsion domain have recently received significant funding on a worldwide scale.According to independent assessments5678,the space propulsion market segment was estimated to amount to around EUR 9.2bn in 2022 and is projected to double or even triple i

25、n value by around 2030,with the main markets being North America,Europe and Asia-Pacific.The main drivers are the overall growth in the space economy,driven by an increased demand for space applications(combating climate change,security,meteorology,connectivity)and the development of reusable launch

26、 vehicles.1.2.Propulsion as a key enablerThe importance of propulsion capabilities stems from their transversal enabling role in the space sector for a spectrum of applications.This concerns not only access to space through launch vehicles but also the evolving focus on sustainability,the emerging s

27、pace logistics and on-orbit servicing,assembly and manufacturing(OSAM)market for the low Earth orbit(LEO)economy,and renewed exploration ambitions for the moon and beyond.Access to space:Propulsion is crucial for accessing space and to reap the benefits of telecommunication,navigation,and Earth obse

28、rvation.Today,the launch sector is subject to multiple trends.First and foremost,the launch cadence is increasing every year,driven by a growing demand for services enabled by space infrastructure.This trend drastically intensified with the emergence of LEO satcom constellations such as Starlink or

29、OneWeb and Amazon Kuiper as well as the two planned Chinese institutional constellations Guowang and G60.The second major breakthrough is vertical landing and the reusability of the booster stage of launch vehicles as pioneered by SpaceXs Falcon 9.Even though Falcon 9 is currently the only launcher

30、with operational and reliable technology for booster stage reusability,reusable rocket launches accounted for 41%of all launches in 20239.The third major trend concerns the transformation to a carbon neutral and sustainable 5 https:/ Fortune Business Insights 2022 https:/ Polaris Market Research 202

31、1 https:/ Allied Market Research 2022 https:/ ESPI launch database 2024PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|07Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and noteseconomy;this means that the launch sector is faced by its environmenta

32、l footprint with efforts being made to mitigate its pollution by developing green and non-toxic propellants.Furthermore,geopolitical instabilities have underlined the importance of sovereignty and critical capabilities.Independent access to space has emerged as a major topic in Europe,fuelling the d

33、evelopment of launch vehicles throughout the continent.Collision avoidance:The crowding of Earth orbits with growing numbers of spacecraft and amounts of space debris is posing an increasing threat to operational space systems,including crewed spacecraft and stations.The increased interest in the de

34、velopment of new LEO-based services,such as large constellations of communication satellites,led to a significant increase in the number of orbiting objects and therefore a higher likelihood of collisions,reducing operational safety and long-term sustainability.Looking ahead,one major way of mitigat

35、ing space debris will be through greater manoeuvrability of spacecraft,achieved,for example,by increasingly equipping satellites with on-orbit propulsion systems to effectively modify their orbits when needed.Public and private players in the space sector have recognised this threat and started to d

36、evelop measures to prevent their spacecraft from being hit by debris and also to prevent satellites becoming debris in the future.A combination of technical developments and regulatory advancements is facilitating an effective global Space Traffic Management(STM)system10 and spacecraft propulsion ca

37、n be considered as an important building block in this vision.On-orbit servicing,assembly,and manufacturing(OSAM):OSAM refers to services performed on orbiting spacecraft by servicing vehicles.Here,in-space propulsion enables last-mile delivery,inspection,repair,de-orbiting,refuelling,recharging,rel

38、ocation,station-keeping,reconfiguration and assembly.OSAM is expected to become an essential part of the future LEO economy,with assessments of future market values varying between EUR 2.8bn and EUR 11bn,depending on the definition and scope of OSAM.In the long term,such services could also foster a

39、mbitious space markets,such 10 According to the European Union“STM encompasses the means and the rules to access,conduct activities in,and return from outer space safely,sustainably,and securely”as space-based solar power or data centres in space11.While this segment is still in a rather early devel

40、opment stage,various successful demonstrations and test cases and increasing public policy interest are paving the way towards OSAM becoming an integral component of the future space economy.Exploration:Innovation in propulsion systems could also enable more ambitious long-term and deep space explor

41、ation in the future.This includes travel to unexplored destinations in the solar system and surface landings on other celestial bodies.Furthermore,more advanced propulsion techniques such as solar sails12 or nuclear propulsion13 could be used to increase the feasibility of exploring Mars and the pla

42、nets and moons beyond it.Notably,growing interest in nuclear propulsion concepts for spacecraft has been reflected in public policies in the United States,the country that currently has the most developed space exploration capabilities,nuclear propulsion is a salient topic,with governmental initiati

43、ves put in place in recent years in order to facilitate technology development that will enable future exploration ambitions 14,15.The continuous interest of governments in utilising nuclear energy sources for spacecraft power and propulsion since this was first considered feasible means that nuclea

44、r propulsion is also a matter of diplomatic significance.The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space(COPUOS)has for a long time provided a platform for international dialogue about this topic,and jointly it developed the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space

45、in 2009 in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA).11 An in-depths analysis on State of Play and Perspectives on Future Evolutions in OSAM can be found in the ESPI Report 87 on On-orbit Servicing,Assembly,and Manufacturing.https:/www.espi.or.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Final-

46、Report-OSAM-1.pdf12 https:/www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-supported-solar-sail-could-take-science-to-new-heights/13 https:/www.nasa.gov/tdm/space-nuclear-propulsion/#:text=Space%20nuclear%20propulsion%20is%20a,propulsion%20systems%20%E2%80%93%20thermal%20and%20electric.14 https:/trumpwhitehouse.arch

47、ives.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-national-strategy-space-nuclear-power-propulsion-space-policy-directive-6/15 https:/trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-promoting-small-modular-reactors-national-defense-space-exploration/PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIG

48、HT REPORTepo.org|08Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notes1.3.Space propulsion systemsThe majority of the use cases for space propulsion are covered by the following propulsion principles,which also represent the main subject matter covered

49、 in this patent insight report:1.3.1.Chemical propulsionChemical propulsion for space applications covers a wide range of propulsion system concepts and components that are based on the use of chemical energy.A broad overview of the different concepts is given in the table below:16 Table adapted fro

50、m:NASA Glenn Research Center,Chemical Propulsion Systemshttps:/www1.grc.nasa.gov/research-and-engineering/chemical-propulsion-systems/17 ESA Technology Tree Version 4.1,https:/esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/STM-277/STM-277.pdfTable 1 Overview chemical propulsion principle16Chemical pr

51、opulsionLiquid propulsionSolid propulsionMonopropellantsBipropellantsHybrid propulsionChemical propulsion concepts are relevant for the following major applications:reusable or expendable launch vehicles/upper stage/space tugs propulsion;spacecraft on-board propulsion(including micro-propulsion);re-

52、entry manoeuvring propulsion sub-concepts.17In practice,the liquid propulsion concept is divided into the sub-concepts monopropellants,where a single propellant liquid is used,or bipropellants,with one liquid acting as fuel and the other as oxidiser.Solid propulsion concepts typically utilise a soli

53、d self-burning mixture of fuel and oxidiser and are prominently used in booster or main stages of launcher systems.The hybrid propulsion concept typically uses a solid fuel and a liquid or gaseous oxidiser,but is currently limited to suborbital applications,such as sounding rockets.18 https:/www.esa

54、.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/06/Vega-C_VV21_LARES-2_livery_artists_impression 19 https:/www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Launch_vehicles/Vega-CFigure 1 VEGA C artists impression Photo:ESA,J.Huart18The Vega-C is based on the Vega launch vehicle and serves as an example of combined

55、 solid and liquid propulsion.As with the Vega,its main elements consist of three solid fuel stages,while an upper fourth stage is powered by a re-ignitable liquid engine and a payload fairing.19Classic fuels and oxidisers for chemical propulsion are liquid hydrogen(LH2)and liquid oxygen(LOX),hydrazi

56、ne(N2H4),monomethyl hydrazine(MMH).In the past,unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine(UDMH),dinitrogen tetroxide(N2O4),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)and nitric acid(HNO3)were also used.This is a non-exhaustive list,many other combinations and variations exist.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo

57、.org|09Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure 2 Orion crew capsule with ESAs service module,artists impression,Photo:ESA,D.Ducros2020 https:/www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2015/11/Orion_ESM221 Table adapted from:European Space Har

58、monisation Dossier-Electric Propulsion Technologies(Version 4.2 2023,full access for eligible participants can be requested via https:/technology.esa.int/page/harmonisation)ElectrothermalElectrostaticElectromagneticConceptsGas heated by a resistance or by arc discharge and then expanded through nozz

59、leIons electrostatically acceleratedPlasma accelerated via interaction of electric and magnetic fieldsTypes Resistojet Arcjet Microwave Electrothermal Thrusters(MET)Electrospray Gridded Ion Engines(GIE)Field Emission Electric Propulsion(FEEP)Plasma Thrusters Hall Effect Thruster(HET)High Efficiency

60、Multistage Plasma Thruster(HEMPT)Quad Confinement Thruster(QCT)Magneto Plasma Dynamic Thruster(MPD)Pulsed Plasma Thruster(PPT)Helicon Plasma Thruster(HPT)Vacuum Arc Thruster(VAT)The European Service Module for the Orion crew capsule utilises three different engine types with thrust outputs between 2

61、00 N and 25.7 kN,which are fuelled by oxides of nitrogen(MON)and MMH.1.3.2.Electric propulsion The electric propulsion principle uses electrical energy to accelerate a propellant.The working mechanism comprises three main concepts,namely electrothermal,electrostatic and electromagnetic.Within the el

62、ectric propulsion categories multiple types for electric propulsion thrusters exist as shown in the table below.Due to their typically high specific impulse,electric propulsion systems can be utilised advantageously in the following applications:spacecraft on-board propulsion(including micro-propuls

63、ion);orbital stages/tugs propulsion missions with a long travel distance that allow for an extended phase of acceleration.22Examples of propellants used in such concepts are krypton(Kr),argon(Ar)and xenon(Xe).Table 2 Overview of electric propulsion concepts2122 ibidPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATEN

64、T INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|10Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesLastly,Atmospheric-Breathing Electric Propulsion(ABEP)systems use atmospheric gases as propellant,enabling extended satellite operations in Very Low Earth Orbit(VLEO,160-250 k

65、m)without using on-board propellant.ABEP in VLEO enables low latency time,high resolution for optical payloads,and frequent revisits.As mentioned,a remarkable satellite using a gridded ion engine is GOCE(Gravity field and Ocean Circulation Explorer),which was launched on 17 March 2009.The sleek aero

66、dynamic design immediately sets it apart from most other satellites,as apparent from figure 3.23 https:/www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/GOCE/Introducing_GOCE Figure 3 GOCE satellite in orbit,artists impression ESA,AOES Medialab23The system uses electrically charged xenon to cre

67、ate a gentle thrust.The system continually generates tiny forces between 1 and 22 millinewtons(mN),depending on how much drag the satellite experiences as it orbits Earth.The satellites sophisticated electric propulsion system has shown that it is possible to completely compensate for any drag effec

68、ts,thus enabling unprecedented accuracy in measuring the Earths gravitational field.1.3.3.Alternative space propulsion Beamed energy propulsion The beamed energy propulsion concept covers a variety of sub-concepts that have been proposed over the past few decades.In particular,it refers to propulsio

69、n sub-concepts such as sails,where propulsion is provided by the radiation pressure of the sun or a laser.Water propulsion systems are currently being developed for various applications.In the search for non-toxic,non-carcinogenic and generally non-hazardous replacements for hydrazine,water is the u

70、ltimate green propellant.Several different types of water propulsion exist,with possibly the most common current application being a Water-Resistojet(WR).This type of electrothermal electric propulsion uses the water itself as propellant.In contrast,Water Electrolysis Propulsion(WEP)employs an elect

71、rolyser to generate oxygen and hydrogen gases from the stored water.The two gases are then used to operate conventional chemical propulsion thrusters or Hall Effect Thrusters(HET).Therefore,water propulsion systems cannot be defined as strictly electric or chemical propulsion systems.Water propulsio

72、nFigure 4 illustrates such an invention.The respective patent describes the exploitation of solar pressure,in particular proposing a device for controlling the attitude of a satellite,which makes it possible to control the attitude of the satellite along three independent axes without requiring the

73、solar generators to be re-aligned relative to the Sun.24 https:/ 4 EP2643215B124Furthermore,concepts of a heat exchanger heated by beamed energy or mirror systems that focus the energy on a focal point are also discussed in this propulsion domain.Such concepts transfer the energy to an on-board prop

74、ellant which can be ejected to propel the spacecraft.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|11Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesTethered propulsion Concepts and techniques related to the use of long cables to create

75、a force at the end-masses of the system due to centrifugal force,e.g.inert tethers.Electrodynamic tethers utilise the electromagnetic interaction between a current flowing through the tether and the planet magnetosphere.Lastly,electrostatic tethers are driven by a constant electrostatic field that e

76、xchanges momentum and energy with charged particles,e.g.a planets ionosphere25.Nuclear propulsion Nuclear propulsion concepts and techniques relate to the use of nuclear engines to produce thrust.The main working principles of interest for space are classified as nuclear thermal concepts that use a

77、working fluid that is heated to a high temperature inside a nuclear reactor,or nuclear electric concepts,that use the thermal energy from a nuclear reactor converted into electrical energy to drive an electrical thruster.Their high efficiency when compared to chemical concepts is of interest for dee

78、p space science missions and(crewed)exploration missions.261.3.4.Technology developmentsIn view of the strategic importance of space activities and the growing economic interest in them,new capabilities in space propulsion are actively being sought.In Europe,the ESA has identified multiple pathways

79、to facilitate European access to space,and new mission profiles.These include developments suitable for new applications that comply with new requirements,such as non-toxic propulsion,very high thrust sub-concepts,throttle-ability,reusability,components for refuelling and space debris mitigation.A f

80、urther overarching priority is reducing development times and costs while enhancing the competitiveness of European propulsion products and processes,especially targeting the industrialisation of electric propulsion concepts.2725 ESA Technology Tree Version 4.1,https:/esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedi

81、a/publications/STM-277/STM-277.pdf26 ibid27 ESAs Technology Strategy(Version 1.2,September 2022),https:/esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/technology/ESA_Technology_Strategy_Version_1_0.pdfWhere space transportation technologies are concerned,the European strategy targets developments towards reusability,in

82、telligent hardware,increased autonomy and software-driven design.Emerging space services and applications such as spacecraft tugging,in-orbit assembly,life-extension and active debris mitigation are also being investigated,including developments for hypersonic suborbital and orbital flight capabilit

83、ies.Where existing products are concerned,the targets are improved modularity and assembly,and a reduction in the costs of system developments.28 Dual-mode sub-concepts(switching between bipropellant and monopropellant propulsion modes)are of interest for current and future missions using chemical p

84、ropulsion.Their flexible performance and a potential simplification of satellite systems could lead to increased payloads and cheaper propulsion systems.In addition,one prospective application is hybrid propulsion(usually solid fuel combined with a liquid oxidiser)to substitute hydrazine-based sub-c

85、oncepts.However,first the hybrid motor performances need to be increased until they match the required performance in respect of bipropellant sub-concepts.The continuing industrial trend towards micro-and nanosatellites(e.g.Cubesats)increases the need for Cubesat propulsion(chemical or electric)and

86、low power electric propulsion.The capability to build such systems already exists in Europe where Cubesat propulsion technologies are concerned,key areas of development have been identified by the European Space Agency,including the miniaturisation of propellant storage and feeding systems,as well a

87、s high-voltage electronics for applicable electric propulsion concepts.Development activities are also aimed at complete miniaturised propulsion systems.29 In addition,the dependence on micro-manufacturing techniques,the scalability and control of manufacturing processes and the need to manage heat

88、dissipation are particular challenges in the development of Cubesat propulsion.28 ibid29 https:/www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/09/Mini_space_thruster_that_runs_on_water 20kW)for deep space exploration and,e.g.,cargo transportation to future destinations such as the Moon and Mars.Maturing and

89、 qualifying of 5-7 kW Hall effect thrusters and gridded ion engines(GIE)for telecommunication,navigation,space transportation and exploration applications.Maturing and qualifying low-cost systems for 1kW range for LEO constellations.Maturing and qualifying low-cost systems for 300W range for,e.g.,co

90、mmercial small satellites and science missions.reduce dependence in supply chain and establish dual source strategies for critical technologies1.4.The studyBy virtue of their respective missions and activities,the EPO,ESPI and ESA share a common interest in the study of patent filing statistics to b

91、etter understand technological trends in the space sector.In 2020,2021,and 2022 the EPO and ESPI,in collaboration with ESA,published three patent insight reports:1.The first report(July 2021)examined patent filing statistics over the past 30 years in cosmonautics to assess the relevance of that data

92、 to the identification of trends in the space sector.3230 ESA Space Debris Mitigation Requirements,https:/technology.esa.int/upload/media/ESA-Space-Debris-Mitigation-Requirements-ESSB-ST-U-007-Issue1.pdf31 FCC ADOPTS NEW 5-YEAR RULE FOR DEORBITING SATELLITES TO ADDRESS GROWING RISK OF ORBITAL DEBRIS

93、,https:/docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-387720A1.pdf 32 https:/www.espi.or.at/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EPO-ESPI-Report-Cosmonautics-The-development-of-space-related-technologies-in-terms-of-patent-activity.pdf2.The second report(November 2021)addressed the evolution of patent filing activity i

94、n space applications of quantum technologies.333.The third report(October 2022)deals with the patent landscape and emerging trends in green applications of space borne sensing.34Building on that partnership,the present study,launched in 2023,focuses on assessing patent filing statistics in the propu

95、lsion domain.35 To do so,the study has used various resources,including EPO patent databases and registers,ESPI publications,ESA technical expertise and other available public reports and scientific articles.EPO:The European Patent Office examines European patent applications,enabling inventors,rese

96、archers and companies from around the world to obtain protection for their inventions in up to 44 countries.The EPO is the executive arm of the European Patent Organisation,an international organisation with 39 member states.The EPOs activities and budget are overseen by the Organisations Administra

97、tive Council,which consists of representatives of the member states.ESPI:The European Space Policy Institute is Europes independent think-tank for space.Based in Vienna,Austria the worlds capital of space diplomacy,and working in a non-profit capacity,ESPI promotes European space policy on a global

98、level;facilitates an active forum for the analysis and discussion of European needs,capabilities,and long-term prospects in space activities;and makes proposals and recommendations to European decision-makers and institutions.ESA:The European Space Agency is an international organisation with 22 mem

99、ber states.It is Europes gateway to space.Its mission is to shape the development of Europes space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members,it can under

100、take programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.33 https:/www.espi.or.at/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Quantum-Technologies-and-Space-Collaborative-Study.pdf34 https:/link.epo.org/web/Space-borne%20sensing%20and%20green%20applications%20report.pdf35 https:/ SYSTEMS FO

101、R SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|13Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notes1.5.Using patent informationPatents are exclusive rights that can only be granted for inventions in any field of technology,provided they are novel,inventive and

102、industrially applicable.High-quality patents are assets that can help attract investment,secure licensing deals and provide market exclusivity.Patent owners pay annual fees to maintain patents that are of commercial value to them and protect their inventions from being openly used by others,includin

103、g competitors,in all protected markets.A patent can be maintained for a maximum of 20 years.In exchange for these exclusive rights,all patent applications are published,revealing the technical details of the inventions in them.Therefore,patent databases contain a wealth of technical information on b

104、oth patent applications and granted patents,much of which cannot be found in any other source and which anyone can use for their own research purposes.The EPOs free Espacenet database contains more than 150 million documents from over 100 countries and comes with a machine translation tool in 32 lan

105、guages.Patent filing statistics provide interesting indicators to measure and examine innovation,commercialisation and knowledge transfer trends.The protection of intellectual property is very well documented in national and international databases and registers,which track bibliographic and legal e

106、vent data on patent applications.Detailed information on the data coverage of worldwide patent data distributed by the EPO can be found here36.For some countries(e.g.India)data is missing.36 https:/www.epo.org/en/searching-for-patents/data/coverageDedicated exploitation of these patent databases and

107、 registers can reveal new insights into sector trends and support informed decision-making processes.Patents provide means of observing technology trends,key innovators and policies in various jurisdictions.For this purpose,patent searches are useful in identifying patent documents related to specif

108、ic technologies.The result sets of these searches are generally appropriate for statistical analyses on patent aggregates such as company portfolios or comparisons between countries.Statistical analyses are not recommended for the assessment of single,specific patents.This information can be combine

109、d with further public information such as national R&D budgets and specific market studies.1.6.MethodologyThe information,data and analysis provided in this study are primarily based on dedicated exploitations of EPO patent databases(e.g.PATSTAT37)and registers covering relevant patent publications

110、between 2003 and 2022.The EPO was responsible for creating the domain-specific queries and the structured dataset for the analysis,with assistance from several ESA experts in identifying relevant technologies.The search queries were developed and validated in the examiner tool ANSERA and are include

111、d as supplementary information(data)with the publication of this report.Figure 5 High Level MethodologyInvestigate possible material of interest Relevant technology dossiers ESA Competence Domains ESA Technology Domains Applicable Industry Reports Policy Landscape Expert consulting to confirm releva

112、nt information Create a shortlist of material,technology,applications,etc.Identify and collect all relevant patentdocuments in the selected domain Split search queries for each topic Develop individual search queries with balance between precision and recallApply additional filters to identify Count

113、ry of applicants International patent families Top applicants Co-applicants Forward citations Granted patentsFormulate insight and intelligence Visualise dataset and trends Identify connections,correlations and networks Use further combinations of indicators to investigate the dataset in-depth37 htt

114、ps:/www.epo.org/en/searching-for-patents/business/patstatPrepareCollectFilterInsightPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|14Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesThe authors and research teams did their best to prevent

115、patent applications of a military nature from being retrieved by the queries and included in the dataset.However,due to the dual-use nature of space Principle(level 1)Concept(level 2)Sub-concept(level 3)Chemical propulsionLiquid propulsionMono propellantElectric propulsionElectrostaticElectromagneti

116、cElectrothermalAtmosphericbreathingSolar thermalpropulsionAlternativespace propulsionBeamed energy propulsionNuclear propulsionTethered propulsionCold gas thrustersPropellantsH2O2 or H2ISRU propellantsMetallic propellantsGreen propellantsBi propellantCyogenic propulsionSolid propulsionHybrid propuls

117、ionAir breathing systemsSolar sailingpropulsionBeamed plasmaBeamed laserPropulsion systems for space(4559 patent families)Figure 6 This technology map shows a summary of the concepts analysed in this report.applications,especially rocket technology,it should be noted that the dataset might contain s

118、uch patent documents or might miss certain patents with civil applications within the analysis.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|15Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notes2.Analysis of patents38 Applicant countries an

119、d filing authorities are abbreviated throughout the report according to WIPO STANDARD ST.3:https:/www.wipo.int/standards/en/pdf/03-03-01.pdf39 EP denotes filings at the European Patent Office and WO those at the World Intellectual Property OrganizationFor this study a total number of 4559 patent fam

120、ilies filed at 52 patent authorities have been identified with applicants registered in 43 countries and inventors residing in 53 countries.A patent family is a collection of patent applications covering the same invention filed by the applicant in different countries.This report also uses a stricte

121、r concept of patent families called international patent families(IPFs).This concept excludes all single national patent families that have only been filed in the country of the applicant38.Patent families with applications having applicants or inventors from different countries were also considered

122、 to be international patent families.EP and WO filings39 as well as any other regional office filings are by default IPFs.Of the 4559 patent families used in this report,1178 are IPFs(about 26%),grouping a total of 4626 unique patent applications filed in 52 different patent jurisdictions.This secti

123、on is structured into two major parts.The first part analyses trends in the international patent landscape regarding propulsion.The second part delves deeper into specific propulsion principles,such as chemical,electric,or alternative propulsion concepts.2.1.Breakdown by regionThe breakdown by regio

124、n is also split into two parts:the first part investigates the global applicant landscape,while the second part examines how the European landscape is positioned in comparison to the global landscape.2.1.1.International breakdownGiven that propulsion is a fundamental enabler of most space applicatio

125、ns,as revealed by the first chapter,it is not surprising that patent filings in this area increased considerably between 2003 and 2022,as shown in Figure 7.This is in line with the general increase in space activities observed in recent years.Similar to previous patent studies,the first major observ

126、ation is that Chinas prominence is very pronounced accounting for roughly 38%of all 4559 patents filed in 2003-2022.Considering 2022 alone,Chinas share even increases to 65%,indicating that the domain is of strategic importance to Chinese policymakers.Moreover,it should be noted that although China

127、only tops the total number of filings in electric propulsion,Chinese applicants are also towards the top in lists of applicants in other fields of propulsion.This indicates a rather diverse patent landscape in China,whereas in the patent landscapes of other countries or regions(US,EU or Japan)applic

128、ants tend to be more concentrated on a limited number of fields.Furthermore,Chinese and Indian aerospace industries have conducted an increasing number of very successful space activities in recent years,leveraging their significant technical advancements.These two nations have undoubtedly demonstra

129、ted considerable progress in their capabilities and positioned themselves as notable players in the international market.Unfortunately,no data for Indian patent filing activities could be obtained for this report(see chapter 1.6).After China,the other top four patent-filing countries in 2022 were th

130、e US,Germany,Japan and France.While Europe has traditionally maintained a leading position in this sector,primarily due to its rich heritage of flight-proven designs and advanced manufacturing techniques,it is crucial for European aerospace entities to view the emerging competencies of China and Ind

131、ia not merely as competition,but as an incentive for domestic growth and advancement.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|16Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesThe second major observation considering the overall dat

132、a is that over two thirds(74%)of patents are only filed nationally,as is evident in Figure 9.In fact,if only patents filed internationally between 2003 and 2022 are considered,there is only moderate growth Figure 7 All propulsion patent families by applicant country50045040035030025020003

133、20042005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)CN US RU JP FR DE KR GB CA IT othersin overall applications(6.1%average annual growth rate vs 9.2%when also considering national patents).Considering solely international filings,the top c

134、ountries in 2022 were more evenly distributed with the US leading(43%),followed by Germany(17%),France(11%),China(6%),South Korea(6%)and Japan(5%).PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|17Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and

135、 notesFigure 8 International patent families by applicant country 90807060504030202005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)US FR DE JP GB CN RU CA KR SE othersCombining both initial observations,it can be deduced that the

136、overall filing increase in respect of propulsion systems is mainly driven by Chinese national patent filings.However,the dominance of Chinese filing activity diminishes when the number of international filings is analysed.An additional observation regarding Chinese patent applications is that the co

137、untrys patent families are also increasingly cited:either by the applicants or by the examining patent offices.The number of forward citations of a patent family can be viewed as an indicator for the quality and impact of the underlying invention.We observe that up until 2007,it was primarily patent

138、s filed by US and JP applicants that were cited,and the number of individual citations was rather high.From 2008 onwards,we see a rapid increase in the number of patents filed by CN applicants being cited.When filtering cross-national citations(Fig 10)we can see that the high number of Chinese citat

139、ions is mainly between patent families of domestic applicants,with only a few cross-national citations.50PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|19Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesUS applicants are most frequently th

140、e subject of cross-national citations.Technology givers,who are the most-cited applicant countries,are mostly from the US followed by FR,JP,DE and CA.Technology receivers,identified by citing patent families,are primarily from the US followed by DE,FR,and JP.Following the breakdown by country,the re

141、spective top players originate from these countries as well.Chinese players stood out in particular,not only due to their being the top players but also because they represent a unique set of institutions.While in other countries,patents are almost always filed by large private companies,in China th

142、e major patent portfolios in space propulsion are applied for by research entities and universities.In terms of the number of patent applications,the top two players overall are the Harbin Institute of Technology and the Beihang University,both located in the northern part of China.They are followed

143、 by Airbus,Safran,and Boeing.However,it should be noted that in Figure 12 the numbers of patent families given are for both international and national filings.Also,the ranking does not take into account whether patents have been granted or not.Figure 11 Cross-national citationsUSFRJPDECAGBSECNKRRU02

144、004006008001 0001 2001 400 1 6001 800Number of patent familiesCiting applicant country:US(873)DE(401)FR(383)JP(367)KR(213)RU(201)GB(195)CN(106)CA(76)SE(41)others(490)Cited applicant countryThe Harbin Institute of Technology,founded in 1920 as a Sino-Russian Industrial School,was the first ever schoo

145、l to introduce university-level education in astronautics in China in its School of Astronautics.It is very active in international scientific cooperation,especially with the Russian Federation,and it manufactures as well as operates its own satellites.Today,it is affiliated with the Chinese Ministr

146、y of Industry and Information TechnologyThe Beihang University has a particular aerospace focus and is widely considered to be one of the top engineering universities in China.It too launches and operates its own satellites.Top Chinese applicantsPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.

147、org|20Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure 12 Top applicants all patent familiesHarbin Institute of TechnologyBeihang UniversityAirbusSafran GroupBoeing CompanyLanzhou Institute of Physics,Chinese Academy of Space TechnologyArianeg

148、roupBeijing Institute of Control EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesAerojet RocketdyneIHI CorporationNational University of Defense Technology of PlaJapan Aerospace Exploration AgencyNorthwestern Polytechnical UniversityShanghai Institute of Space PropulsionMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesDeutsches Ze

149、ntrum fr Luft-und RaumfahrtNorthrop Grumman CorporationMitsubishi Electric CorporationCentre national detudes spatiales050100150200Number of patent familiesTop applicant countries:CN FR US JP DE GBAs previously stated,the US is the leading nation in terms of internationally filed patents.However,the

150、re are only 3 US applicants in the top 10(Aerojet Rocketdyne,Boeing and Raytheon).In contrast the European applicants are well represented as can be seen from Figure 13,with French and German companies such as Airbus,Safran,the Ariane Group and Thales as well as public players such as CNES or DLR.Th

151、us,it can be concluded that patent activity regarding propulsion is more concentrated with few players in Europe,compared to the US,which builds on a higher number of smaller applicants.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|21Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analys

152、is of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure 13 Top applicants international patent familiesAirbusSafran GroupArianegroupAerojet RocketdyneBoeing CompanyThalesCentre national detudes spatialesDeutsches Zentrum fr Luft-und RaumfahrtJapan Aerospace Exploration AgencyRaytheon Company050100150Num

153、ber of patent familiesTop applicant countries:FR US DE JP GB IT2.1.2.Europe-specific findingsComparing Europe(defined as the EPC member states)to other top applicant countries,it is apparent that the continent is reasonably well-represented with 36.7%Figure 14 National filings vs International Paten

154、t Family(IPF)by countryEPCUSJPCNRUCAKRILAUothers02004006008001 0001 2001 400 1 6001 800Number of patent families international not international1 7191 446140191779of all patents being filed by European applicants if only internationally filed patents are considered.However,if nationally f

155、iled patents are also considered,Europes share has decreased greatly over the last 20 years and only accounted for 10%in 2022.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|22Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure 15 Paten

156、t families EPC applicants vs rest of the world;all filings(top)vs international patent families IPF(bottom)EPC applicants vs all applicants5004504003503002502000320042005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)EPC non-EPCEPC

157、applicants vs all applicants(IPF)0602504030202005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)EPC non-EPCPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|23Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analys

158、is of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesHowever,EPC member countries are not only losing relative share,but there is also an absolute slowdown in propulsion-related patent filings from the continent over the last 10 years.While filings grew by an annualised average of 6.3%between from 2003 unti

159、l 2012,there was an average annual decrease of about 1.8%between 2013 and 2022 as can be seen from Figure 15 for all patent families.Similarly,there was also a growth of 8.1%and a decline of 2.7%for international patent families over the same respective time periodsThis reflects broader trends in ma

160、ny sectors,especially technological,where Europe has lost ground over the last few decades caused by the emergence of new players and a lack of a coherent European response.Europe has historically been at the forefront of transformative innovation,leading the way in developments that have shaped ent

161、ire centuries.However,in recent decades,it appears to have deviated somewhat from its pioneering spirit.According to a Joint Research Centre report from 2019,the change in global share in manufacturing value chains was 11.4 percentage points between 2000 and 2014 for the EU and+13.7 for China40 as c

162、an be seen in Figure 16.40 https:/publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC116516(Figure 1)151050-5-10-15EUUS China Demand factors Competitiveness TotalFigure 16 World share in Global Value Chains;change in percentage points .7-5.9-11.4DKSEGBFILTPLDEFRCHITGRTRCYBENLCZATSIESPTL

163、U82180231 293Figure 17 National and international patent families from EPC applicant countriesThis shift is most apparent in the realm of digital development,where Europe has missed crucial opportunities in areas such as the Internet revolution,artificial intelligence,and semiconductor te

164、chnology.For example,in 1990,Europe was home to almost half of global chip manufacturing,but by 2020 its share had fallen to less than 10%.Zooming in further on Europe,it can be seen that space propulsion patent activity is primarily located in countries with a long heritage in upstream space activi

165、ties41,namely Germany and France.Taken together,both countries account for more than two thirds(71%)of national and international patent families in Europe.This trend exceeds the distribution of economic activity on the continent because in terms of GDP Germany and France taken together only account

166、ed for roughly one third(32%)of Europes GDP in 202242 41 The space industry is split into two pillars:upstream and downstream.While upstream capabilities entail sending objects into space as well as space exploration,downstream capabilities include activities that use space applications on earth.42

167、Trading economics 2024 https:/ SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|24Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notes504540353025200042005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publ

168、ication(family)Figure 18 Patent activity in Europe FR DE GB SE IT ES AT NL TR BE CH FI othersPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|25Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notes2.2.Divided by propulsion principlesAfter invest

169、igating some overall trends,this chapter delves deeper into the specifics of different propulsion principles and the patent landscape surrounding them.2.2.1.Overall pictureThe following chapter is divided into different sections,namely electric propulsion,chemical propulsion,alternative propulsion c

170、oncepts and propellants.2.2.Divided by propulsion principlesAfter investigating some overall trends,this chapter delves deeper into the specifics of different propulsion principles and the patent landscape surrounding them.2.2.1.Overall pictureThe following chapter is divided into different sections

171、,namely electric propulsion,chemical propulsion,alternative propulsion concepts and propellants.Figure 19 Technology mapLevel 1Level 2Level 31 chemical1 all1-1 liquid propulsion1-1 all1-1-1 mono-propellant1-1-2 bi-propellant1-1-3 cryogenic-propulsion1-2 solid-propulsion1-3 hybrid-propulsion1-4 air-b

172、reathing-systems2 electric-propulsion2 all2-1 electrostatic2-2 electromagnetic2-3 electrothermal2-4 electric-atmospheric-breathing2-L electric-others3 alternative3 all3-1 beamed energy propulsion3-1 all 3-1-1 solar-thermal-propulsion3-1-2 solar-sailing-propulsion3-1-3 beamed-plasma-beamed-laser3-2 n

173、uclear-propulsion3-3 tethered-propulsion3-7 cold-gas-thrusters4 propellants4 all4-1 H2O2 or H24-2 ISRU-propellants4-3 metallic-propellants4-5 green2505007501 0001 2501 5001 7502 000Number of patent families1 chemical IPF non-IPF 2 electric-propulsion IPF non-IPF 3 alternative IPF non-IPF 4 propellan

174、ts IPF non-IPFPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|26Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesPresenting this data per time period makes it possible to see development trends:Figure 20 Technology map for internationally f

175、iled patents over timeEarliest publication years(family)Level 1Level 2Level -20-20221 chemical1 all1-1 liquid propulsion1-1-1 mono-propellant1-1-2 bi-propellant1-1-3 cryogenic-propulsion1-2 solid-propulsion1-3 hybrid-propulsion1-4 air-breathing-systems2 electric-propulsi

176、on2 all2-1 electrostatic2-2 electromagnetic2-3 electrothermal2-4 electric-atmospheric-breathing2-L electric-others3 alternative3 all3-1 beamed energy pro-pulsion3-1-1 solar-thermal-propulsion3-1-2 solar-sailing-propulsion3-1-3 beamed-plasma-beamed-laser3-2 nuclear-propulsion3-3 tethered-propulsion3-

177、7 cold-gas-thrusters4 propellants4 all4-1 H2O2 or H24-2 ISRU-propellants4-3 metallic-propellants4-5 green 100 200 100 200 100 200 100 200Patent families 1 chemical 2 electric-propulsion 3 alternative 4 propellants533525933830209279266

178、040353246072846434552328927394413PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|27Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigures 19 and 20 present a diverse pictur

179、e of propulsion technology with the main concepts like liquid chemical,electrostatic,as well as hydrogen propellant growing over time.This is true both when investigating nationally or internationally filed patents.From the period 2013-2017 onwards electric propulsion systems have overtaken chemical

180、 propulsion systems.Figure 21 Specialisation index for applicant countriesLevel 1Level 2Level 3CNUSRUJPFRDEGBothers1 chemical1 all0,81,11,01,31,10,80,71,21-1 liquid propulsion0,61,20,91,21,41,10,61,21-1-1 mono-propellant0,02,10,01,21,01,51,31,21-1-2 bi-propellant0,81,01,11,11,21,00,81,31-1-3 cryogen

181、ic-propulsion0,41,30,71,12,41,20,41,21-2 solid-propulsion0,61,21,21,70,90,41,01,11-3 hybrid-propulsion1,30,90,50,90,60,40,71,41-4 air-breathing-systems0,61,40,90,40,81,51,41,62 electric-propulsion2 all1,50,80,90,80,80,80,90,72-1 electrostatic1,40,90,90,81,10,71,10,62-2 electromagnetic1,41,00,40,50,5

182、1,21,10,82-3 electrothermal0,81,30,41,10,60,52,21,22-4 electric-atmospheric-breathing1,41,30,10,21,00,01,60,62-L electric-others1,60,51,30,80,91,10,20,63 alternative3 all0,61,50,60,50,81,61,91,13-1 beamed energy propulsion0,51,50,70,60,72,12,41,03-1-1 solar-thermal-propulsion0,71,60,61,20,20,61,71,0

183、3-1-2 solar-sailing-propulsion0,41,20,90,41,44,41,50,83-1-3 beamed-plasma-beamed-laser0,41,90,40,30,20,84,01,43-2 nuclear-propulsion0,71,90,50,00,51,41,80,63-3 tethered-propulsion0,41,40,50,91,51,02,31,63-7 cold-gas-thrusters1,80,90,00,40,40,60,01,04 propellants4 all0,90,81,51,21,11,10,81,14-1 H2O2

184、or H20,80,81,71,21,31,30,91,04-2 ISRU-propellants1,51,60,30,30,30,00,00,24-3 metallic-propellants1,11,00,62,70,30,20,01,04-5 green1,21,00,40,70,30,61,21,7Specialisation IndexThe OECD specialisation index(revealed technology advantage)compares the share of an economys patents in a specific technology

185、 relative to the share of total patents43.A specialisation index of 1 means that the representation of this technology in the countrys portfolio is the same as for all countries,greater one means that more patents are filed in this area compared to other countries.43 https:/doi.org/10.1787/978926426

186、8821-enliquidmono-propellant 1-1-2:chemicalliquidbi-propellant 1-1-3:chemicalliquidcryogenic-propulsion 1-2:chemicalsolid-propulsion 1-3:chemicalhybrid-propulsion 1-4:chemicalair-breathing-systemsliquidmono-propellant 1-1-2:chemicalliquidbi-propellant 1-1-3:chemicalliquidcryogenic-propulsion 1-2:che

187、micalsolid-propulsion 1-3:chemicalhybrid-propulsion 1-4:chemicalair-breathing-systemsconcepts.Similarly to the traditional launcher market,the United States and China are top in both charts,filing most national and international patent applications.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTe

188、po.org|30Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesWhile France seems overrepresented in the launch data relative to its number of patent filings,it needs to be taken into account that the company Arianespace acts as launch service provider fo

189、r the Ariane and Vega rocket families which are also developed and manufactured in Germany and Italy.Furthermore,it should be taken into account that SpaceX only very recently started filing patents for launch vehicle technology,but accounted for roughly 43%of launches in 2023.This also contributes

190、to the observation that the rise in total launches(Figure 23)is even more pronounced than the rise in chemical propulsion patents(Figure 22).Solid vs liquid propulsionSolid and liquid chemical propulsion concepts are the most widely used means of propelling spacecraft and launchers.The choice of a c

191、oncept or a combination of concepts is driven by the specific requirements of the mission,i.e.the necessary performance and precision,as well as costs,complexity,manufacturability,reliability and safety.Figure 25 Number of launches by launch service provider country 2000-2023(ESPI launch database 20

192、24)USCNFRRUINJPDENZothers02004006008001 000Solid propulsion concepts provide a high thrust-to-weight ratio with a simple and reliable design.As such they are suitable for booster stages of space launch vehicles or as a supplement to liquid propulsion concepts.Launchers designed for lifting smaller p

193、ayloads,such as Europes VEGA or Chinas Long March 11 even use solid concepts as a primary means of propulsion.Nevertheless,it should be noted that these characteristics also make solid propulsion concepts favourable for military applications.Liquid propulsion concepts distinguish themselves because

194、of the associated high efficiency and design options for throttle control and re-ignition that offer flexibility and controllability of upper stages and spacecraft in orbit.The collected patent data,as shown in Figure 26,reveals increasing but fluctuating filing activity.Considering hybrid propulsio

195、n concepts,an increase in filing activity can also be seen,but the absolute annual filing numbers are still considered low.liquidmono-propellant 1-1-2:chemicalliquidbi-propellant 1-1-3:chemicalliquidcryogenic-propulsionliquidmono-propellant 1-1-2:chemicalliquidbi-propellant 1-1-3:chemicalliquidcryog

196、enic-propulsion 1-2:chemicalsolid-propulsion 1-3:chemicalhybrid-propulsion 1-4:chemicalair-breathing-systemsThe top applicants in this domain reveal international activity and a range of differing focuses.Notably,Beihang University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences apply for patents with a focus o

197、n hybrid propulsion applications,while US and Japanese companies predominately manage solid propulsion applications(e.g.Raytheon,Northrup Grumman,NOF and IHI).In Europe the focus of the top applicants appears to be on the bipropellant sub-concept.2.2.3.Electric propulsionElectric propulsion patent f

198、ilings have increased the most over the last 20 years,especially due to increased filing by Chinese players,who contributed to 67%of all patents filed in this field in 2022.It consists of different concepts,namely electrothermal,electrostatic and electromagnetic.Additionally,inventions related to at

199、mospheric-breathing electric propulsion have grown into a separate,transversal category.The increase in electric propulsion has mainly been driven by substantial advancements in solar array technology,in which the specific power generated on-board spacecraft has increased from 30 to 100 W/kg44 over

200、the last 25 years,with future increases to be expected.Figures 28 and 29 provide an overview of activities in electric propulsion both by country and concept-specification for all patents,both nationally and internationally filed.44 https:/hpepl.ae.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/files/Review%20of%20

201、HP%20ES%20ET%20EP_JPP%20Nov%202022.pdfPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|33Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure 28 Top applicant countries in electric propulsion2802602402202000020032004

202、2005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)CN US RU FR JP DE GB KR AT othersElectric propulsion,historically primarily used for telecommunication satellites in geostationary orbit(GEO),is seen as a critical enabler for many emerging sp

203、ace applications,with LEO telecommunication constellations being the most prominent one.The Starlink constellation of SpaceX alone makes up 67%of the total number of spacecraft launched in 202345.45 ESPI launch database,2024It relies entirely on constant thrust operations using electrostatic propuls

204、ion to keep the satellites in orbit despite significant atmospheric drag and also to help the satellites avoid close encounters or collisions with other spacecraft.electrostatic 2-2:electric-propulsionelectromagnetic 2-3:electric-propulsionelectrothermal 2-4:electric-propulsionelectric-atmospheric-b

205、reathing 2-L:electric-propulsionelectric-others PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|35Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesFigure 30 OSAM vehicles launched per year (ESPI launch database,2024)20

206、0222023The leading nations,apart from China,are the US,Russia,France,Japan,Germany,United Kingdom and South Korea.On average,patent activity in the field of electric propulsion grew by 10%over the last 20 years.If taken into account,the growth in patents filed in the field of electric propulsion sys

207、tems would be more modest(3.6%)driven mainly by US applications which represent 24%of the patent families.Next to the US,China has emerged as the entity filing most patents based on electrostatic propulsion,with a major uptick since 2015.This is in line with the countrys plan to set up two commercia

208、l telecom constellations in the coming years consisting of 25000 LEO satellites,which were announced in 2020 and 202346.Another emerging market that electric propulsion enables is on-orbit servicing,assembly,and manufacturing(OSAM)applications.Electric propulsion is used to manoeuvre the OSAM vehicl

209、es after they have been initially deployed into space by a launch vehicle(using chemical propulsion).The emergence of OSAM applications has gained traction over the last five years in particular,as shown in Figure 30(below)for OSAM-specific vehicles launched per year.Europe plays a significant role

210、in the OSAM market,with the Italian company D-Orbit being the worldwide market leader in last-mile delivery,currently the only OSAM service which is commercially viable47.However,Europes diminished role in the patent landscape for electrostatic propulsion points at OSAM not being the main driver of

211、patents in this field but rather the afore-mentioned large LEO telecom constellations.Beyond constellations and OSAM,electrostatic propulsion could also be used to move space station modules,such as the Lunar Gateway,to their destination.46 https:/ On-orbit Servicing,Assembly,and Manufacturing.ESPI

212、2023.https:/www.espi.or.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Final-Report-OSAM-1.pdfsolar-thermal-propulsion 3-1-2:otherssolar-sailing-propulsion 3-1-3:othersbeamed-plasma-beamed-laser 3-2:othersnuclear-propulsion 3-3:otherstethered-propulsion 3-7:otherscold-gas-thrustersPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT

213、 INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|37Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesAs mentioned above,nuclear propulsion(and nuclear energy)is of interest for space exploration and space science missions to more distant objects and celestial bodies48.Therefor

214、e,the patent data presented in Figure 32,especially for 2022,reflects the current exploration endeavours that are mostly concentrated around both superpowers.49Russia is almost non-existent in patent filings for nuclear propulsion.It filed its last nuclear propulsion patent in 2010.For nuclear propu

215、lsion this finding is especially significant because the Russian Federation has a long-standing legacy both in this field and space exploration in general,and it is very active in UN-level discussions concerning the topic.48 https:/www.globalspaceexploration.org/wordpress/wp-content/isecg/NPP_GAT_re

216、port_July%2027%202023a.pdf 49 This is maybe most pronounced when looking at the current plans for lunar exploration.Currently states are bandwagoning behind either the US-led Artemis missions and the related set of governing rules,the Artemis Accords,or behind Chinas International Lunar Research Sta

217、tion(ILRS).Figure 32 Nuclear propulsion patent families by country202003200420072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)CA CN DE FR GB IT KR RO RU UA USLike Russia,Europe has almost no presence in this field,despite having a history

218、of being a major contributor to exploration efforts led by the US and being one of the most capable players in the field of space science.Beamed energy propulsionAfter nuclear propulsion,beamed energy propulsion is the next most significant in the dataset.It includes sub-concepts such as beamed plas

219、ma/laser energy,solar sailing and solar-thermal propulsion used to accelerate spacecraft.While the main application of solar sailing is in long duration flights for exploration or science missions,plasma/laser applications could form a significant part of future endeavours associated with space sust

220、ainability.Directed laser beams could be an H2O2 or H2 4-2:propellantsISRU-propellants 4-3:propellantsmetallic-propellants 4-5:propellantsgreenPROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|39Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and not

221、es CN US RU JP FR DE KR GB CA othersFigure 34 Propellant applicant countries20000200320042005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)Submissions mentioning the use of metallic propellants,e.g.the use of metallic po

222、wders and additives,Applications relevant to the notion of“green”propellants,including keywords for non-toxic,eco-friendly,non-polluting and non-hazardous inventions.Over recent years,all concepts of patent families regarding propellants have increased over time,but the trend has been most pronounce

223、d in hydrogen and green and water propellants52.Liquid hydrogen is the most significant propellant concept in the dataset,accounting for more patents than all other propellant concepts combined.Figure 33 shows developments in hydrogen propellants,revealing a significant increase,in line with the ove

224、rall trends in propulsion-system patents.The reader should note that 30%of the green propellants are also tagged as hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide based.52 Water propellants refer to hydrogen-H2,hydrogen peroxide and H2 from water.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|40Contents|E

225、xecutive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesGreen propellantsWorldwide imperatives to transform to a carbon-neutral and more environmental economy also impact the space sector and have caused new ideas for using green transportation methods to arise.One p

226、art of this is the development of green propellants.Investigating the evolution in the number of green-propellant-related patents,it can be seen that there has been a general increase since 2003 which has further accelerated since 2021 growing almost exponentially.Comparing the average growth in pat

227、ents from 2003-2022 in respect of green propellants(on average 12.6%per year)with Figure 35 Green propellant patent filing by country6055504540353025200042005200620072008200920000022Year of earliest publication(family)CN US KR JP RU DE CA FR GB

228、othersthe overall growth of patent applications in the field of propulsion(on average 10.1%per year),it is apparent that that there is indeed a growing interest in green solutions in the propulsion sector albeit still at a low level.Looking at the distribution of applicant countries in Figure 35,it

229、can be seen that China is in a dominating position and that this has accelerated in recent years.The US is in second place.Despite Europes efforts to be at the forefront of climate protection and green policies through the EUs Green Deal,the number of relevant patent families originating from the co

230、ntinent is of marginal significance.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|41Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notes3.ConclusionSpace propulsion encompasses different principles,most prominently chemical and electric prop

231、ulsion concepts as well as alternative and emerging concepts accompanied by a variety of propellants and even“fuel-less”concepts,such as solar sails and ABEP.It is a fundamental enabler of a diverse set of space applications,ranging from launch vehicles and on-board propulsion,collision avoidance an

232、d on-orbit servicing,assembly,and manufacturing(OSAM),and space exploration endeavours or deep space science probes.The analysis of propulsion patent data has uncovered some major trends within the innovation landscape surrounding the technology:1.Globally,space propulsion systems have witnessed a s

233、ignificant increase in patent activity over the last 20 years equivalent to an average annual increase of 9%.This increase has been especially prominent since 2011.2.International patent activity is primarily concentrated in larger countries or regions which also reflect the traditional players domi

234、nating the space sector.This encompasses the US,Europe(primarily France and Germany),Japan,China and Russia.3.As apparent in other technological domains within and outside the space sector,the strong position of China can be observed in relation to all parts of propulsion systems,which is driving th

235、e overall increase in patent filings.This is especially true when considering national and international patent filings.4.Over the last 20 years European applicants have accounted for 37%of internationally filed patent families.There is however an absolute and relative slowdown of propulsion system

236、development in Europe,in line with the continents stagnant position in other high-tech sectors.5.Most patent filings by European countries originate from countries with a heritage in upstream activities,namely France and Germany.6.Patent activity within the area of chemical propulsion is dominated b

237、y the countries that are responsible for the highest level of launch activity and countries of launch service providers.7.Electric propulsion filings have witnessed the largest increase over the last 20 years,especially in China,and have surpassed chemical propulsion filings in recent years.8.Nuclea

238、r propulsion,albeit still a niche concept,is witnessing increased numbers of filings,with the US and China being the dominant players,which closely resembles their dominance in space exploration,one of the major application areas for this propulsion concept.9.Currently,despite Europes efforts to be

239、at the forefront of climate protection and green policies through the EUs Green Deal,the number of relevant patent families about green propellants originating from the continent is of marginal significance.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|42Contents|Executive summary|1.Spac

240、e propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesLimits of the study This study provides a specific snapshot of a particular technology segment.The approach used could serve as an example of how to exploit patent filing statistics for analyses to deliver insights and information to

241、assist decision-making in both the private and public sectors.This study makes best use of the EPOs publicly available data,search and other analysis tools.Like many patent analyses,this study is based on search queries combining keywords and patent classification codes.These queries are designed to

242、 optimise recall(i.e.to retrieve as many relevant documents as possible)and to optimise precision(i.e.to exclude as many non-relevant documents as possible).In reality,for a large dataset it is impossible to obtain 100%recall and 100%precision simultaneously.This affects which documents we found,as

243、did the need to use a number of disparate classification codes in the search.For this report we limited our data sample to the period from the earliest publication year,2001,up to 2022 to recover all relevant propulsion technologies.We then manually checked a considerable number of patent families t

244、o improve precision and recall.However,as a result of the above parameters,“noise”in the dataset is inevitable and some relevant documents may have been missed.Nevertheless,we are confident of our methodology and assumptions.The European Patent Organisation,the European Space Policy Institute and th

245、e European Space Agency cannot be held liable for any damages,cost,losses or third-party claims resulting from reliance on the data,information,findings,conclusions and interpretations presented in this report.5353 Space propulsion technology is typically classified using IPC&CPC codes B64G1/40 and

246、F03H1/00green in the data.PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|44Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesIAEAInternational Atomic Energy AgencyInternational patent family(IPF)Patents that have more than one country in th

247、e list of publications,applicants,inventors or first priority countries.Using this concept allows identification(and exclusion)of single national filings that have no family members in other patent jurisdictions.Patents filed at the EPO,WIPO and other regional patent organisations are IPF patents by

248、 default.InventionTeaching of a technical device,method or use which is new,non-obvious and may be applied in industry,including agriculture.InventorA person designated as an inventor in a patent application.An inventor can also be an applicant.An inventor is always a natural person.There may be mor

249、e than one inventor per application.ISRU propellantPropellant based on in-situ resource utilisationLEOA low Earth orbit(LEO)is an orbit that is relatively close to the Earths surface.It is normally at an altitude of less than 1000 km but could be as low as 160 km above Earth.LH2Liquid hydrogenLOXLiq

250、uid oxygenMEMSMicro-electro-mechanical systemsMMHMonomethylhydrazineOSAMOn-orbit servicing,assembly and manufacturingPatent applicationDocument describing the invention for which patent protection is sought.It consists of the claims which define the scope of the invention,the description which expla

251、ins the invention and(optionally)drawings which illustrate the invention.Patent authorityThe patent office where a patent was filed.Normally represented using a WIPO STANDARD ST.3 code:wipo.int/export/sites/www/standards/en/pdf/03-03-01.pdf.Patent classificationCPC or IPC classifications:classificat

252、ion scheme or system of codes that groups inventions according to technical area.Often used in patent analytics to create uniform patent samples.Patent familyA set of patent documents covering the same or similar technical content,depending on the patent family definition.The size of the patent fami

253、ly refers to the number of patent applications in the family.PATSTATThe EPOs PATSTAT database has become a point of reference in the field of patent intelligence and statistics.It helps users perform sophisticated statistical analyses of bibliographical and legal event patent data.Priority filingThe

254、 earliest patent application of a family from which subsequent applications of that family claim priority.The priority date is the date on which the earliest application(priority application)was filed.STM (Space Traffic Management)According to the European Union,“STM encompasses the means and the ru

255、les to access,conduct activities in,and return from outer space safely,sustainably,and securely”UDMHUnsymmetrical dimethylhydrazinePROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE PATENT INSIGHT REPORTepo.org|45Contents|Executive summary|1.Space propulsion|2.Analysis of patents|3.Conclusion|Glossary and notesDisclaimer

256、The data and information presented in this report have been produced,prepared,compiled and presented with the utmost care by the three collaborating organisations,namely the European Patent Organisation,the European Space Agency and the European Space Policy Institute.Nevertheless,no guarantee can b

257、e given as to their accuracy or completeness.The findings,conclusions and interpretations presented in the report cannot serve as a basis for any expectations regarding future actions or measures from the collaborating organisations,their governing bodies,or members.The information contained herein

258、does not necessarily represent the views of all members of the collaborating organisations.The mention of specific companies or certain projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the collaborating organisations in preference to others of a similar nature that are no

259、t mentioned.The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the collaborating organisations concerning the legal status of any region,country,territory,city or area or of its authorities,or concerning the delimitation of fro

260、ntiers or boundaries.The European Patent Organisation,the European Space Policy Institute and the European Space Agency shall not be liable for any damages,cost,losses or third-party claims resulting from the reliance on the data,information,findings,conclusions and interpretations presented in this

261、 report.Rights and permissionUnless otherwise stated,material in this publication may be freely used,shared,copied,reproduced,printed and/or stored,provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the European Patent Organisation,the European Space Policy Institute or the European Space Agency.

262、Material in this publication that is attributed to third parties may be subject to separate terms of use and restrictions,and appropriate permissions from these third parties may need to be secured before any use of such material.You may not use this work for commercial purposes.CitationEPO,ESPI and

263、 ESA(2024),Patent insight report:Propulsion systems for space,EPO,ViennaCover imageESAs Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer(GOCE).The cover image of this report shows ESAs GOCE satellite,launched on 17 March 2009.The GOCE mission managed to overcome the small amount of drag sti

264、ll present in space by means of an electric ion propulsion system mounted at the back of the satellite.Although its flight is now over,the wealth of data from GOCE continues to be exploited to improve our understanding of ocean circulation,sea level,ice dynamics,climate change and the Earths interio

265、r.ESA/AOES MedialabFollow us Visit epo.org Subscribe to our newsletter at epo.org/newsletter Listen to our podcast at epo.org/podcast This report is published and edited by the European Patent Office(EPO)EPO,ESPI,ESA 2024www.epo.orgwww.esa.intwww.espi.or.atAuthorsJohannes Schaaf(EPO)Geert Boedt(EPO)

266、Lars Petzold(ESPI)Tomas Hrozensky(ESPI)Stephan Speidel(HE Space Operations on behalf of ESA)Examiners:Pierre Loiseleur(EPO)Christof Sodtke(EPO)Udo Steinhauser(EPO)Carlos Weber(EPO)AcknowledgementsNuria Hernandez Alfageme(ATG Europe on behalf of ESA)Victor Fernandez Villace(ESA)Jamila Mansouri(ESA)Armin Herbertz(ESA)Nicolas Arcis(ESA)Davina Maria Di Cara(ESA)Ferran Valencia Bel(ESA)Thomas Searle(ESA)Design European Patent OfficeISBN 978-3-89605-377-0