Abstract:

Electric Propulsion (EP) technology has been conceived as an effective mode of spacecraft transportation at the dawn of the space age. First satellite tests of EP devices were conducted as early as 1964, and by the 21^st century hundreds of EP thruster were responsible for performing station-keeping duties on multiple satellites and enabling NASA to visit the far-off asteroids. Because, in part, of the latest advances in the solar array technology, the role of EP devices has expanded to orbit insertion as well as very low orbit station maintenance – a role that chemical propulsion cannot fulfill. Recently Boeing has flown all-EP satellites, which rely entirely on electric propulsion (i.e no chemical thrusters) and many other companies are rapidly developing their all-EP satellites, as well. In this talk we will trace the development of the EP technology from its early implementation to the current state-of-the-art, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of flying electric propulsion on satellites. We will explore some areas of active research, and peer into the future and discuss how EP may change the way we explore space.

Bio:

Rostislav Spektor is the Electric Propulsion and Plasma Science section manager in the Propulsion Science Department at the Aerospace Corporation. He is also the current chair of the AIAA Electric Propulsion Technical Committee (EPTC) and the technical chair of the International Electric Propulsion Conference, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia in 2017. Dr. Spektor holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, with emphasis on electric propulsion and plasma science, from Princeton University. He also has a BS degree in Nuclear Engineering as well as in Materials Sciences from UC Berkeley. Dr. Spektor joined The Aerospace Corporation in 2004 as a Member of Technical Staff and participated in the design, construction, launches, and orbital support of multiple Air Force satellites. In his role as a laboratory section manager he is responsible for coordinating the efforts of a dozen PhD scientists and supporting stuff. He has helped to develop and implement multiple commercial contracts, design and improve innovative diagnostics technics and is an author of multiple journal and conference papers.