Electric Propulsion

Electric propulsion is a type of propulsion technology that uses electricity to accelerate a vehicle or spacecraft through space. It is a relatively new technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we explore and utilize space. …

Change is coming to in-space propulsion. We investigate key technologies and developments for nuclear, electric, chemical and solar propulsion. — Multiple companies are developing advanced technologies for nuclear, electric, chemical, and solar propulsion with the potential to dramatically improve Earth-centric space operations and interplanetary exploration for decades to come. We surveyed the market’s “state of play” for insight into near and medium-term developments.

Could ambient air extend the life of very low Earth orbit satellites? — Very low Earth orbit (VLEO) is becoming popular for large satellite constellations. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), approximately 5,000 satellites are currently in this orbit, but the historic numbers are dwarfed by future satellite forecasts. The booming commercial space industry has proposed another 20,000 satellites for deployment into…

As a student still learning about Electric Propulsion, I’ve spent a bit of my time understanding Plasma at the grassroots. Any new Plasma physics/Electric prop enthusiast can get mixed-up about what makes a gas Plasma. …

The chamber will test the newer, high-powered thrusters needed for future space exploration. — Deep inside a laboratory at The Aerospace Corporation’s El Segundo campus, scientists are recreating the vacuum of space here on Earth. Aerospace’s electric propulsion lab specializes in testing electric thrusters in space-like conditions, and they recently installed a new vacuum chamber that will enable them to test the newer, high-powered…

Objective In the field of electric propulsion, Paschen’s law has made some enormous contributions to the study of electrical discharge in various gases and their properties. This law illustrates a relationship between the applied voltage and the product of the pressure and the distance between the electrodes. To experiment and conduct…

Traditionally, spacecraft engineering is structured with propulsion engineers focusing on maximizing thruster performance while systems engineers are tasked with the challenge of fitting and integrating the propulsion system — which includes much more than just a thruster — into the spacecraft. That’s at least in part because electric propulsion (EP)…

Cozy up with a pumpkin spice latte, we’ve got a new story from the supply chain. This month, we’re spotlighting ceramics powerhouse Saint-Gobain. Ceramics… in space? For a refresher, spend a couple minutes with Phase Four mechanical engineer Dave Tsai’s three-part series on ceramics on the P4 podcast. Believe it…