Daniel Porter
Aug 17, 2012
Featured

VIDEO - Star Trek technology: microthrusters

With the populace becoming increasingly excited about sending more junk into space, smaller non-governmental institutions are looking to get into the game. To reduce costs, this means smaller space "devices" (a six-inch cube can hardly be called a "craft"), which means smaller thrusters. The video describes the Lozano group's work on developing small, microchip-sized ion thrusters. Warp nine? Not yet, but at least their maglev testing chamber is pretty nifty...

Microthrusters propel small satellites at MIT - YouTube
A penny-sized rocket thruster may soon power the smallest satellites in space. The device, designed by Paulo Lozano, associate professor of aeronautics and a...