Electric Propulsion Lab

AE Teams Sweep Space Design Competition

Aerospace Engineering teams from the University of Illinois swept all awards in the recent 2007-2008 Undergraduate Team Space Design Competition, sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation.

Boeing recognizes AE graduate student in international competition

AE graduate student Manu Sharma was among three University of Illinois students recently honored in the Boeing 2008 Student of the Year Awards.

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October 17
AE Alumni Advisory Bd Meeting

October 28
AE 590 Seminar
Characterization of Plasticity Mechanics in Organic Single Crystals

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Faculty Researchers:	Location:	Phone:	Website:
Professor R. L. Burton	Room 6 Talbot Laboratory	217-244-7242

Description of Research:

Directed by Professor R. L. Burton. Physics of several types of electric thrusters, which use less propellant than chemical thrusters, are being studied experimentally for space applications. Both DC and Pulsed Arcjet Electrothermal Thrusters are investigated at power levels of 50 to 1000 watts and thrust to levels of 0.01 to 0.10 newtons. Pulsed plasma thrusters, with specific impulses of 800 to 1500 seconds on Teflon propellant, are being studied at power levels of 10 - 100 watts. The basic physics of electrode erosion is being studied. High power pulsed electromagnetic thrusters using metallic gallium propellant are also being investigated.