Chemical rockets have limited
application for space applications due to the fact that the fuel is
relatively slow (low specific impulse) relative to the speeds needed to
move efficiently about the solar system. As a results chemcial systems
are massive, and the trip times for missions are very long. Research at
UW in this area is for the development of faster propellants that can
provide substantial reductions in cost and trip time. To achieve these
efficiencies plasma systems (i.e. charged particles) are required where
electric and magnetic field can be used to accelerate the plasma
propellants to speeds more than an order of magnitude faster than can
be achieved by chemical rockets. The systems below detail devices under
active development.
Robert
Winglee
B. Race Roberson
Areas of Active Interest:
Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences Homepage
Updated Nov 2011