Available student project - Plasma thrusters for spacecraft
Research fields
- Plasma Applications and Technology
- Engineering in Physics
Project details
Orbiting spacecraft need to be able to control their orientation relative to the earth for mapping of natural resources and relative to a star to give a stable background for astronomical measurements. Cold gas thrusters expand gas through a nozzle to accelerate it in a controlled fashion since the thrust is a force proportional to the velocity times the gas usage. A plasma can be used to increase the velocity of the propellant thereby saving the gas usage. Projects are available on different types of thrusters from palm sized nano-satellites ranging up to bar fridge sized mini-satellites. The research can be purely physics ranging through to mainly engineering.
Required background
A background in Physics or Engineering is desirable.
Project suitability
- Honours or MSc project
- Phd or MPhil
Contact supervisor
Updated: 30 January 2023/ Responsible Officer: Director, RSPhys/ Page Contact: Physics Webmaster