Pulsed plasma thrusters, with specific impulses of 1000 seconds on Teflon propellant, are being studied at a power level of 10 watts. These types of thrusters which use less propellant than chemical thrusters, are now being installed on small orbiting satellites, and may be used on the Space Station and ultimately for human exploration missions. Photographs of Electric Propulsion Lab. Directed by Professor J. Lambros . Real time optical and thermal diagnostics are used in conjunction with these loading devices.
Temperature measurement is made using a high speed infrared detector sensing array.
Static tests are also conducted using a computer controlled load frame mounted on an optical table. Shockwave Boundary Layer Interaction in a supersonic wind tunnel is studied with both passive and active flow control techniques. The focus of the Nonlinear Systems Laboratory is to study the complex interaction between noise, stability and nonlinearities inherent in mechanical and structural systems. The goal of the experimental investigations carried out in the lab is to verify the analytical results obtained by the Nonlinear Systems Group. The results of these experiments will add important insight into many global phenomena that occur in nonlinear systems.