Research
Space Propulsion
Students in the Space Propulsion Program enjoy the opportunity of working with advanced equipment. A student here interprets data from a solid propellant combustion facility.
Faculty
- Michael M. Micci
- Deborah A. Levin
- Sven G. Bilen
Activities
Research is being conducted in a number of areas relevant to space propulsion. In the area of chemical propulsion, experimental research characterizing the unsteady combustion behavior of solid and liquid propellant by means of advanced diagnostics is ongoing. These measurements provide important input into the prediction of rocket chamber combustion stability. In advanced space propulsion, both experimental and analytical research into microwave-heated propulsion is being conducted. Gases are heated to plasma temperatures where optical diagnostics are used to evaluate and optimize performance. Space mission studies are done to compare various thruster concepts. An experimental program examining low Reynolds number nozzles, such as those found on spacecraft thrusters, has been initiated.
All experimental facilities for research in space propulsion are located in and are operated in conjunction with the NASA Center for Space Propulsion Engineering located at the University Park Campus.
Specializations
- Chemical rocket propulsion
- Advanced space propulsion
- Space environment
- Hypersonic flows
- Chemically reacting flows