Available student project - Launching nano-satellites from the Earth's Moon
Research fields
- Engineering in Physics
- Astrophysics
Project details
Gravity on the moon is 16% that on earth and the necessary velocity required to keep a satellite in LMO is about 2.4 kilometres per second. As there is no atmosphere to speak of, there are opportunities of using alternative launch scenarios to chemical propulsion: simple mechanical slingshot where energy is stored in elastic properties of materials, electrical using the J x B force in a rail gun and other more extravagant possibilities. The project will investigate the advantages of using resources available on the moon compared to the costs of transport from the earth.
Required background
Basic physics or engineering
Project suitability
- 3rd year special project
- Honours or MSc project
- Phd or MPhil
- Vacation scholar
Contact supervisor
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