Plasmonic Force Propulsion for Small Spacecraft
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Research Advisor
Rovey, Joshua L.
Yang, Xiaodong
Advisor's Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Funding Source
OURE Fellows Program
Abstract
Plasmonic force propulsion is a revolutionary concept that can overcome one of the biggest obstacles to unlocking the full potential of small spacecraft: mobility. Fundamentally, the concept relies on the rapidly expanding field of plasmonics, which is focused on optical interactions with deep sub-wavelength scale metallic nanostructures. Specially designed lenses are able to focus incident light, such as sunlight, into very precise and powerful optical force fields. A plasmonic propulsion thruster device uses engineered metallic nanostructures that harness raw sunlight to expel nanoparticles at a high speed. By studying the various design characteristics of this device, the performance and impact of a plasmonic force propulsion system for small spacecraft is examined.
Biography
Matt Glascock is a Senior student currently in pursuit of an Aerospace Engineering Bachelor’s degree, with a minor in Physics. He has enjoyed a very successful academic career thus far. Outside of the curriculum, he is involved in the Missouri Satellite Project student research team on campus at Missouri S&T, developing a micro satellite for the University Nanosat Program. He is also conducting undergraduate research in the space propulsion field in the Aerospace Plasma Laboratory on campus. Matt has plans to attend graduate school for an academic doctorate degree in the Aerospace Engineering field following graduation in May 2014. His research interests lie mainly in the field of electric space propulsion, and its application to small satellites.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Final Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Fellows 13-14 Final Stipend
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2014, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Plasmonic Force Propulsion for Small Spacecraft
Carver Room
Plasmonic force propulsion is a revolutionary concept that can overcome one of the biggest obstacles to unlocking the full potential of small spacecraft: mobility. Fundamentally, the concept relies on the rapidly expanding field of plasmonics, which is focused on optical interactions with deep sub-wavelength scale metallic nanostructures. Specially designed lenses are able to focus incident light, such as sunlight, into very precise and powerful optical force fields. A plasmonic propulsion thruster device uses engineered metallic nanostructures that harness raw sunlight to expel nanoparticles at a high speed. By studying the various design characteristics of this device, the performance and impact of a plasmonic force propulsion system for small spacecraft is examined.
