Outreach
Michigan Advanced In-Space propulsion Engineers (MAISE)
MAISE is a student group partnering undergraduates from the College of Engineering with graduate students from PEPL, established in 2017. Together they assemble, operate, and present various electric propulsion technologies to the local community, with specific emphasis on middle and high school students. Previously, they have built up the infrastructure to run the PEPL-70 Hall thruster, the first of its kind designed at PEPL. Currently, they have two primary engineering projects. The first is to continue improvements on the PEPL-70 demonstration by incorporating various forms of plasma diagnostics. The second is to develop a pulsed plasma thruster and incorporate it into a facility of its own to use in demonstrations.
If you have an outreach opportunity you’d like MAISE to participate in, please contact mgallen@umich.edu or wjhurley@umich.edu.
Hall Thruster Team
Members: Andrew Saladino, William Hurley, Madison Allen
The Hall thruster team is continuing to improve the existing demonstration. The first of these projects is adding a down converter to the discharge current signal, allowing the audience to hear the oscillations of the thruster. The second involves adding diagnostics into the chamber to better understand operating conditions. Third, they are implementing a LabView interface to facilitate control of the thruster and allow audience members to interface with it directly. All of these projects are increasing audience engagement with the demonstration.
Pulsed Plasma Thruster Team
Members: Ari Eckhaus, William Hurley, Madison Allen
The pulsed plasma thruster team is developing a new demonstration unit. They are currently in the design phase, where they are investigating mechanical and electrical assemblies. The PPT will perform on a solid propellant and will operate in a smaller facility, allowing easy transport.
MIPSE
The Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE) is a community of faculty, staff and students at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University whose research and education programs are devoted to the advancement of the science and technology of plasmas. The breadth of research is impressive – from laser produced plasmas for particle acceleration to plasmas in the earth’s magnetosphere. We take pride in the excellence of the research and in the resulting societal benefits.
How PEPL is involved:
How to get involved:
Rocket Scientist for a Half-Day
PEPL has the unique facilities and cutting edge research that is ideal for interesting elementary and middle school students in a future STEM career. PEPL participates in Rocket Scientist for a Half-Day to give this exposure to local students.