The Electric solar wind Sail doctors

Project title: The Electric solar wind Sail doctors

 

Project's No: 101227277

 

Project acronym: E-Sailors

 

Project’s partners: TARTU ULIKOOL (University of Tartu), Finnish Meteorological Institute, Dresden University of Technology , Aalto University,  University of Pisa, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Riga Technical University, Tallinn University of Technology, CrystalSpace , Spacecraft Anatomy, Nanocraft.

 

Funded by: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01)

 

Project's duration: November 11, 2025 – December 31, 2029

 

Project's total budget: 4 348 707,39 EUR, VUAS - 163 590,12 EUR

 

Project description:

 

15 PhD Projects, One Propelled Vision


The E-Sailors network delivers 15 tightly coordinated PhD research projects, covering:

  • Mission design and in-space demonstrations of E-sails in the solar wind
  • Exploration of Planetary bodies, Small Bodies and potential interstellar targets
  • Advanced propulsion technologies and E-sail component development
  • Nanospacecraft platforms with control, navigation, communication, and operations systems
  • Open-source software tools for E-sail modelling and mission design, fostering global collaboration


Training the Next Generation of Space Leaders


E-Sailors delivers comprehensive, future-focused training, equipping doctoral candidates with both technical excellence and transferable skills:

  • Open Science and responsible research practices
  • Science communication and public engagement
  • Intellectual property and innovation management
  • Entrepreneurship and business development


Shaping Sustainable Space Exploration


By combining pioneering research with high-level interdisciplinary training, E-Sailors is creating a new generation of experts ready to drive sustainable, innovative, and commercially viable space exploration, propelled by the solar wind itself.

 

Contacts:

Project leader for administrative matters – Vitālijs Petkevičs, vitalijs.petkevics@venta.lv