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ESA and ANU make space propulsion breakthrough
January 12, 2006The European Space Agency and the Australian National University have successfully tested a new design of spacecraft ion engine that dramatically improves performance over present thrusters and marks a major step forward in space propulsion capability.
Ion engines are a form of electric propulsion and work by accelerating a beam of positively charged particles (or ions) away from the spacecraft using an electric field. ESA is currently using electric propulsion on its Moon mission, SMART-1. The new engine is over ten times more fuel efficient than the one used on SMART-1. "Using a similar amount of propellant as SMART-1, with the right power supply, a future spacecraft using our new engine design wouldn't just reach the Moon, it would be able to leave the Solar System entirely," says Dr Roger Walker of ESA's Advanced Concepts Team, Research Fellow in Advanced Propulsion and Technical Manager of the project.
The new experimental engine, called the Dual-Stage 4-Grid (DS4G) ion thruster, was designed and built under a contract with ESA in the extremely short time of four months by a dedicated team at the Australian National University. "The success of the DS4G prototype shows what can be achieved with the passion and drive of a capable and committed team. It was an incredible experience to work with ESA to transform such an elegant idea into a record-breaking reality", says Dr. Orson Sutherland, the engine's designer and leader of the development team at the ANU's Space Plasma, Power and Propulsion group.\\\
European Space Agency
MIT rocket aims for cheaper nudges in space
Satellites orbiting the Earth must occasionally be nudged to stay on the correct path. MIT scientists are developing a new rocket that could make this and other spacecraft maneuvers much less costly, a consideration of growing importance as more private companies start working in space.
Sandia conducts tests at Solar Tower to benefit future NASA space explorations
For the last two years, tests have been conducted at Sandia National Laboratories' National Solar Thermal Test Facility to see how materials used for NASA's future planetary exploration missions can withstand severe radiant heating.
Launch of Ariadna to boost advanced space research in Europe
Will spacecraft travelling through interplanetary space be able to determine their positions by using signals from dead stars as astronomical clocks? What is the likelihood of artificial muscles made from electro-active polymers replacing mechanical parts in spacecraft? Will it ever be possible to conceive an interstellar highway in which spacecraft journey across the galaxy using the delicate gravitational balance between neighbouring stars? These are just some of the imaginative, futuristic concepts that will be studied in the first call for proposals issued under a new European Space Agency (ESA) initiative named Ariadna. Managed by the Advanced Concepts Team (ACT) on behalf of the Ag
Press invitation: Solar Sailing Ships Set To Soar
A Discussion Meeting on "Solar Sail Mission Applications" will be held on the morning of FRIDAY 10th MAY 2002 in the Lecture Theatre of the Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, LONDON. The meeting will bring together world-renowned experts on this revolutionary new form of space propulsion. Members of the press are invited to attend the meeting free of charge, although advance notice of attendance to Peter Bond, RAS press officer for space science, would be appreciated. SAILING THROUGH SPACE Space travel is generally accepted as the most expensive form of transportation ever invented. Even relatively modest missions to other worlds typically cost at least $150 million
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Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems: Enabling Technologies for Space Exploration (Springer Praxis Books / Astronautical Engineering) by Paul A. Czysz (Author), Claudio Bruno (Author) In this second edition of Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems, the authors demonstrate the need to break free from the old established concepts of expendable rockets, using chemical propulsion, and to develop new breeds of launch vehicle capable of both launching payloads into orbit at a dramatically reduced cost and for sustained operations in low-Earth orbit. The next steps to establishing a permanent ‘presence’ in the Solar System beyond Earth are the commercialisation of sustained operations on the Moon and the development of advanced nuclear or high-energy space propulsion systems for Solar System exploration out to the boundary of interstellar space. In the future, high-energy particle research facilities may one day yield a very high-energy propulsion... |
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1959 JPL Jet Propulsion Lab Pioneer III Space Probe Print Ad (43920) by AdsPast.com An original vintage magazine ad print from the year published. Print ads make unique gift items that can be framed as artwork. Shipped flat un-framed in plastic sleeve with backing board. |
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Space Cadet - The Propulsion EP Brad Steiger Ted E Levin (Performer) 7 Tracks: 1. Top Ten 2. Have a Good Life 3. In My Sights 4. Nothing to Rock About 5. Best Years 6. Wreck Without You 7. I Am A Liar | |
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Melodia (Guidelines for a Space Propulsion Device based on Heim's Quantum Theory) Johann Johannsson (Primary Contributor) |
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Space Propulsion Analysis and Design by Ronald Humble (Author) The only comprehensive text available on space propulsion for students and professionals in astronautics. |
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Space Jam; Quantum Leap Field Trips with Pug and Zero; Quantum Leap to the NASA / Jet Propulsion Laboratory [VHS] Also With: Pug and Zero (Primary Contributor), Charlotte "Charly" Wells (Primary Contributor) |
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ASICS Men's GT-2110 Size: 11, Width: D, Color: White/Navy by ASICS Size: 11, Width: D, Color: White/Navy |
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Mission to Pluto Directed By: Jonathan Martin Also With: Philip Nugus (Producer), Dr. Simon Mitton (Writer), Dr. Jacqueline Mitton (Writer) |
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Advanced Space Propulsion Systems by Martin Tajmar (Author) Space propulsion systems have a great influence on our ability to travel to other planets or how cheap a satellite can provide TV programs. This book provides an up-to-date overview of all kinds of propulsion systems ranging from classical rocket technology, nuclear propulsion to electric propulsion systems, and further to micro-, propellantless and even breakthrough propulsion, which is a new program under development at NASA. The author shows the limitations of the present concepts and how they could look like in the future. Starting from historical developments, the reader is taken to a journey showing the amazing technology that has been put on hold for decades to be rediscovered in the near future to questions like how we can even reach other stars within a human lifetime. The author... |
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