Dr. Michael McDonald | Opening the Way to Space with Electric Propulsion

Описание: In this video, Dr. Michael McDonald of the US Naval Research Laboratory describes his research towards understanding the science and technology of electric, plasma-based propulsion with the goal of powering spacecraft into deep space.

Once you place a satellite in low-earth-orbit (LEO) around the Earth, the job is only half done. If the satellite stays in LEO, the orbit just be continually adjusted and repositioned. Often LEO is used as a stepping stone towards geosynchronous-earth-orbit (GEO) or beyond to the asteroids or planets. In both cases, you need propulsion to move that satellite – and that propulsion needs to be efficient. Electric propulsion, or plasma-based propulsion, is rapidly becoming the go-to method for moving satellites and probes in LEO and beyond.