Plasma Propulsion: The Future of Space Travel

Electric—or plasma—propulsion (EP) devices use electricity to move spacecrafts. These devices require small amounts of propellant in the form of a gas instead of the large, heavy tanks of propellant necessary for typical chemical propulsion systems. EP thrusters ionize this gas to create a plasma and accelerate it into space at speeds that can reach 40,000 mph!  With this technology, spacecrafts can travel deep into space to a metal world, or maybe bring humans to Mars! Student researchers will show you examples of electric propulsion operating inside of a vacuum chamber. Come see the future of space travel!