Presented By: Michigan Engineering
Aerospace Chairs Distinguished Speaker Series
Pushing the Limits of Hall Thrusters to Enable Next-Generation Space Exploration
Ben Jorns, Ph.D.
Department of Aerospace Engineering,University of Michigan
In FXB or on Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/s/98754209693
Abstract:
High power electric propulsion (EP) thrusters are an enabling technology for space mobility. The high specific impulse of these systems translates to substantial savings in cost and launch mass when compared to spacecraft that employ traditional chemical rockets. While these advantages have already led to the widespread use of EP for commercial applications in GEO, there is growing interest in applying this technology for both defense and deep space exploration. This demand is driving the need for a new generation of EP. Key capabilities of interest include operating at 10-100 x higher power than conventional system, generating a factor of ten faster acceleration, expanding lifetimes by an order of magnitude, and operating on non-traditional propellants such as air, combustion products, and metals. This talk provides on an overview of analytical and experimental work at the University of Michigan (UM) to address these challenges. Special attention is given to UM’s work on the H9 MUSCLE, which recently set a world record for Hall thrust density, as well as UM’s efforts under JANUS, a NASA sponsored institute to develop new testing strategies for ultra-high power thrusters.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Benjamin Jorns is an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan where he co-directs the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Michigan, Dr. Jorns was a member of the electric propulsion group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California where his work combined experimental and analytical techniques to investigate propulsion systems for the next generation of NASA robotic missions. His primary research interests include wear mechanisms and stability in electric propulsion systems, turbulence and nonlinear processes in low temperature plasmas, developing new plasma diagnostics, and investigating breakthrough forms of in-space propulsion. Dr. Jorns has published over 150 journal articles and conference proceedings in the field, and he is an associate fellow of the AIAA and member of the IEEE, APS, and Electric Rocket Propulsion Society. His work has been recognized with five AIAA best paper awards, the AFOSR Young Investigator Program award, the DOE Early Career Award, the AIAA Sperry Award, and a number of NASA technical achievement commendations. Dr. Jorns is currently serving as co-director of the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS), a five-year strategic technology research institute supported by NASA to investigate testing of high power electric propulsion systems.
Department of Aerospace Engineering,University of Michigan
In FXB or on Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/s/98754209693
Abstract:
High power electric propulsion (EP) thrusters are an enabling technology for space mobility. The high specific impulse of these systems translates to substantial savings in cost and launch mass when compared to spacecraft that employ traditional chemical rockets. While these advantages have already led to the widespread use of EP for commercial applications in GEO, there is growing interest in applying this technology for both defense and deep space exploration. This demand is driving the need for a new generation of EP. Key capabilities of interest include operating at 10-100 x higher power than conventional system, generating a factor of ten faster acceleration, expanding lifetimes by an order of magnitude, and operating on non-traditional propellants such as air, combustion products, and metals. This talk provides on an overview of analytical and experimental work at the University of Michigan (UM) to address these challenges. Special attention is given to UM’s work on the H9 MUSCLE, which recently set a world record for Hall thrust density, as well as UM’s efforts under JANUS, a NASA sponsored institute to develop new testing strategies for ultra-high power thrusters.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Benjamin Jorns is an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan where he co-directs the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Michigan, Dr. Jorns was a member of the electric propulsion group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California where his work combined experimental and analytical techniques to investigate propulsion systems for the next generation of NASA robotic missions. His primary research interests include wear mechanisms and stability in electric propulsion systems, turbulence and nonlinear processes in low temperature plasmas, developing new plasma diagnostics, and investigating breakthrough forms of in-space propulsion. Dr. Jorns has published over 150 journal articles and conference proceedings in the field, and he is an associate fellow of the AIAA and member of the IEEE, APS, and Electric Rocket Propulsion Society. His work has been recognized with five AIAA best paper awards, the AFOSR Young Investigator Program award, the DOE Early Career Award, the AIAA Sperry Award, and a number of NASA technical achievement commendations. Dr. Jorns is currently serving as co-director of the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS), a five-year strategic technology research institute supported by NASA to investigate testing of high power electric propulsion systems.
Explore Similar Events
-
Loading Similar Events...
