BOOST Presents Early Results on Rechargeable Iodine Tanks
Date:
Event location: Centro Congressi Lingotto, Turin, Italy
Type: Conference
The BOOST project was recently showcased at the CEAS–AIDAA Joint Conference 2025 held in Turin, Italy, from December 1 to 4, 2025. This prestigious event brought together leading researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and academic institutions from across Europe and beyond to share advancements in aeronautics and astronautics research and to strengthen collaboration across the aerospace sector.
The conference represented a joint event combining the 28th AIDAA International Congress and the 10th CEAS Aerospace Europe Conference, and it ran in parallel with the 10th Aerospace & Defense Meetings, creating an extensive forum for technical exchange and networking.
Hosted at the Centro Congressi Lingotto in the heart of Turin, a vibrant venue blending historic industrial heritage with modern facilities, the conference spanned multiple plenary sessions, technical tracks, keynote talks, and specialist workshops. The technical programme also featured dedicated sessions on aerospace systems, propulsion, space exploration, and sustainable technologies, including the 9th Moon Village Association Workshop and Symposium, which enriched discussions on lunar infrastructure and international cooperation for future space missions.
Within this context, the BOOST consortium presented its work in a dedicated technical session. The paper titled “Advancing Iodine-Based Electric Propulsion: Early Results from Project BOOST” focused on the design and development of an innovative rechargeable iodine tank and cartridge system for electric propulsion. The presentation highlighted key aspects of the system architecture, including the modular tank platform, removable cartridge concept, and specialized interfaces enabling controlled sublimation and compatibility with future in-orbit refuelling strategies. Testing results demonstrating stable thermal behavior and reliable sealing under vacuum conditions were also discussed. These outcomes underscore important progress toward operationally flexible and scalable iodine propulsion solutions for small spacecraft.
Participation in the CEAS–AIDAA Joint Conference strengthened BOOST’s visibility within the European aerospace research community and provided valuable technical feedback to inform the next phases of system development, validation, and integration. The consortium looks forward to building on these interactions to accelerate innovation in electric propulsion and to contribute to cutting-edge solutions for future missions.