Company Profile

Technology for Propulsion and Innovation (T4i) was born in 2014, as a Spin-Off of the University of Padua. T4i's aim is to revolutionize the in-space and access to space transportation, developing innovative engines able to open unexplored forms of mobility to small satellite platforms and unlimited windows to access space.

T4i develops both customized propulsion solutions based on customer's requirements and complete space products up to TRL9, focusing on electrical, chemical, and cold gas propulsion systems to cover different in-space applications (e.g., proximity manoeuvres, orbit raising, decommissioning, station keeping, and relative satellite position maintenance) and chemical propulsion systems for launchers applications.

These solutions are the actualization of a vision born more than a decade ago, while T4i’s team was still part of the Research Group of the University, about the necessity of the market for small, simple, versatile, customized, and cost-effective propulsion systems. From this vision was born REGULUS, T4i’s first product, launched in space for its IOD mission on March 22, 2021.

Headquarter

Via della Croce Rossa, 112 Padova PD 35129

Contact business

    Contact Information
    • Address

      Via della Croce Rossa, 112 Padova PD 35129

    • Manager

      Elena Toson - COO

    • Phone number

      +39 0499271547

    • Email of contact person

      e.toson@t4innovation.com

    • Company Email

      info@t4innovation.com

    • Website

      https://www.t4innovation.com/

    Our Offices in Italy
    Video
    Products | Services | Applications |Technologies

    T4i’s key products are small electric and chemical propulsion systems for in-space applications as nano and micro satellites and chemical rocket engines for micro launchers, small upper stages, sounding rockets and gas generators.

    Our technologies are the result of 15 years of studies and tests and aim to revolutionize transportation in space and access to space.

    ELECTRIC PROPULSION

    Our electric propulsion module, REGULUS, is a complete and innovative 1.5U-2U electric propulsion system suitable for micro and nanosatellite platforms from 6U to 150kg and more.

    REGULUS gives mobility to satellites to cover different mission manoeuvres as orbit raising and drag compensation, formation flying and decommissioning at the end of mission.

    The system is currently performing its IOD mission onboard GAUSS Unisat-7 cubesat carrier. REGULUS is the first Italian propulsion system based on solid unpressurized propellant (i.e., Iodine) which combines high propulsive performances with compact design and plug & play integration, resulting into a drastically increased satellite versatility at a low cost.

    REGULUS has one of the best thrust to power ratio and specific impulse to power ratio between the competitors, as well as the best k€/thrust and k€/total impulse ratios, making it the most convenient electric propulsion system in the market in terms of cost and performance.

    CHEMICAL PROPULSION

    T4i chemical propulsion systems are based on highly stabilized hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that range from 1 N to 10 kN of thrust and are targeted to low cost platforms.

    Highly Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide allows the reduction of safety issues and costs
    during handling and operations. Thanks to our transportable concentration unit, it can be also concentrated in situ, eliminating any transportation issues related with propulsive grade hydrogen peroxide (>85% concentration).

    Depending on the costumer needs, we offer mono-propellant, bi-propellant and hybrid motors to cover different in-space and access to space applications.
    Common features are:

    • Low cost: main target customers are small low-cost satellite platforms and
      nanosatellite deployers.
    • Highly customizable: being internally developed at T4i, the motor can be fully
      reconfigured depending on specific needs of the platform.
    • Green: all the combinations are green, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic,
      providing minimum environmental impact.
    • Restartable / throttleable: all the systems provide these options to perfectly
      match with mission requirements.
    • All-in-one system: sharing the same oxidizer, the monoprops can be combined
      with the other propulsion units to provide a comprehensive propulsion package
      (e.g. ACS + main thruster).
    Video
    Our Missions & Programmes

    GAUSS UNISAT 7 REGULUS IOD Mission; ESA contract for E-REGULUS development; Propulsion system development within the Moon Drone programme; 3DVLE; Use of additive technology for chemical propulsion systems.