The Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation received EU funding of over 25 million PLN from 2014-2020 Regional Operational Programme of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship for the creation of a modern Rocket and Satellite Propulsion Laboratory Center. On December 29, 2020 the agreement was signed by Marshal Adam Struzik, Deputy Marshal Wiesław Raboszuk and the Institute’s Director, Paweł Stężycki, PhD.
The subject of the subsidized project is the extension of the laboratory building used in the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation by the Space Technologies Department and equipping it with research equipment.
– The establishment of the Rocket and Satellite Propulsion Laboratory Center is an important step in the development of the research infrastructure of the institute and the whole Łukasiewicz Research Network in the area of modern space propulsion technologies. Thanks to this investment, we have a chance to become a leader in the field of ecological propulsion of small rockets and satellites – says the director of the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, Paweł Stężycki, PhD.
The building planned under the project will have 3 floors and an area of about 1,200 square meters. It will house a number of laboratories, including a rocket engine dynamometer, rocket subsystems laboratory, satellite correction propulsion laboratory and propellant laboratory.
The center will be equipped with a vacuum station with instrumentation, instrumental analysis equipment and apparatus for thermal tests.
This infrastructure will be designed to carry out R&D works, including:
- development of rocket engines for propellants with reduced toxicity, mainly with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant,
- development of rockets for space applications,
- preparation of smokeless solid propellants,
- preparation and testing catalytic deposits for the decomposition of concentrated hydrogen peroxide and new, single-component propellants from the so-called HPGP group,
- development of hybrid engines technology with hydrogen peroxide and solid fuel,
- development of drives for deorbitating satellites,
- development of pyrotechnic components.
The expansion of the existing laboratory is part of a consistent implementation of the strategy adopted by the institute to become the leading research unit in Europe in the market for research on rocket and satellite propulsion. This consistency already brings a number of positive effects, such as a significant increase in competence, which in turn translates into increased trust of European industrial partners and the European Space Agency.
The new infrastructure will be used by the institute’s researchers, its collaborating entities and consortium members of the implemented research projects. It will also be used by the institute for commercial research services for entrepreneurs and other external entities.
The implemented project will also allow the development of cooperation with technical universities. The modern laboratory base will be available for students doing scientific internships at the institute.
The new center is also an important point on the technological map of Mazovia in the space area and an opportunity to increase innovation and competitiveness of the region.
The value of the project is 39 654 148.50 PLN. The co-financing from 2014-2020 ROP MV is 25 632 652.95 PLN.
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The Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation is one of the most modern research facilities in Europe, with traditions dating back to 1926. The Institute closely cooperates with global tycoons of the aviation industry, such as: General Electric, Airbus or Pratt&Whitney, and institutions from
the space industry including the European Space Agency. Strategic research areas of the Institute are: aviation, space and unmanned technologies. It also provides research and services for domestic and foreign industries in the field of materials, composite, additive, remote sensing, energy as well as mining technologies.
The Łukasiewicz Research Network is Europe’s third largest R&D network, providing business with attractive, broad and competitive technological solutions. Łukasiewicz offers a unique “challenge system” powered by a group of 4,500 scientists, who under 15 working days take up a business challenge and present the entrepreneur with potential solutions. At the same time, it provides access to the cutting edge capabilities and unique scientific infrastructure in the country. Most importantly – the entrepreneur does not bear any costs associated with developing these research ideas. Łukasiewicz conveniently meets the expectations of business. The entrepreneur can contact Łukasiewicz through an online form, but also directly in over 50 locations of Łukasiewicz Institutes and their branches throughout Poland. Each location provides the same – high quality – product or service. Łukasiewicz’s is focused on research areas such as: Health, Intelligent Mobility, Digital Transformation and Sustainable Economy & Energy.
