The NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate has selected the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS) to explore high power electric propulsion systems for human exploration. Michigan Aerospace alumnus Mitchell Walker of the Georgia Institute of Technology will be the principal investigator and director. U-M Assistant Professor Benjamin Jorns will serve as co-director.
Space Systems
Michigan on team selected for $15M NASA institute to investigate testing of advanced propulsion concepts
Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Dr. James Cutler discusses CubeSats and how spacecraft the size of a loaf of bread are revolutionizing space technology and exploration
Dr. James Cutler discusses CubeSats and the role of U-M in their development.
Dr. Benjamin Jorns co-author on the 2019 AIAA Electric Propulsion Best Paper Award
University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor Benjamin Jorns is co-author on the “Best Paper in Electric Propulsion” from the 2019 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum.
To the Moon and beyond: How University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering is on the cutting edge of electric space propulsion
The University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Department’s Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL) is developing the next-generation of Hall thruster technology that may one day propel the first human missions to Mars.
Dr. Alec Gallimore Talks about Space Electric Propulsion and How the University Michigan is Helping to Shape the Future of Space Travel
We recently got together with Dr. Alec Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering at the University of Michigan, to discuss space electric propulsion and the part the Department’s prestigious Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL) is playing in developing the next-generation of this advanced technology that may one day send the first astronauts to Mars.
Universities’ crucial role in our spacefaring future
To ensure that our species endures, we must advance space-based technologies and break our interdisciplinary boundaries.
MXL builds cubeSats to measure atmospheric plasma bubbles
The two TBEx satellites launched in June 2019 will give scientists detailed insight into the effects of plasma bubbles in the upper atmosphere and how this space weather impacts space communication.
MXL sends twin CubeSats on Falcon Heavy’s third launch
The Tandem Beacon Experiment (TBEx), a twin pair of CubeSats will accompany other research payloads in the June 24th night launch.
Mars InSight’s escorts: Michigan Engineers built first deep-space CubeSats
The MarCO mission opens new space exploration opportunities that aren’t possible with large, expensive probes.
Podcast: The X3 Thruster
Hear Dean Gallimore and recent PhD graduate Scott Hall discuss the X3 “Mars engine” on the new podcast “The High Five.”
