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Plasma Science | Applied Plasma Engineering

Home Plasma Engineering

hall thruster

Plasmas have been an area of significant study in science and engineering for quite a long time. Plasmas are all around us everyday in our technologies and our environment. With our current understanding of plasmas and the strong ongoing development of various plasma engineering technologies, we can put this dynamic state of matter to work for us as we begin our venture into space.

Applied plasma physics is a core competency within our organization and we are very interested in the many ways in which plasmas can be used to our advantage in space. Plasmas are a significant factor in space-based operations and there is still much to learn in this regard. Of particular interest are applications of plasma engineering to modify gases and volatiles as well as their use in surface treatment/modification, materials, and for spacecraft propulsion systems.

Plasma Physics in Space Research & Exploration

Plasma science and engineering is very important to space development in a variety of ways including:

Plasma Modification of Gases, Materials, and Surfaces.

Plasma engineering will permit the reprocessing and modification of many useful materials and volatiles in space and plasmas are already widely used in industry to set films and layers on surfaces to enhance or change their features. Plasma processes are likely to be useful when applied to the various volatiles found on the Moon, Near-Earth Asteroids, and other locations. Plasma engineering may find application in the production of breathable air, fuels, and volatile modification as well as for the modification or fabrication of materials. Plasmas have already been proven to be highly efficient for the destruction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contaminants.

Plasma Spacecraft Propulsion Systems.

Ion thrusters and other types of plasma space propulsion systems are already being used on existing spacecraft with great success. However, many advancements remain to be made including dealing with system degradation and erosion along with the longer-term need for the acquisition of fuels from space.

The Interaction of Space Plasmas with Spacecraft and Instruments.

The space plasma environment has a profound influence on operations by influencing instrument measurements, interfering with satellite operations and communications, inducing unwanted electromagnetic effects, and changing the properties of thermal-control and other surfaces exposed to space. Considerable effort will be required to deal with the influences of the space environment on spacecraft, instruments, and systems.