Canberra engineer helps develop 'game-changer' iodine electric propulsion system for satellites
A Canberra-based engineer has helped develop a world-first propulsion system hoped to better allow satellites to dodge space junk.
For decades, space agencies have been searching for an alternative propulsion system to electrical ion engines powered by xenon gas, which is expensive, heavy and rare.
Working remotely for Paris-based company ThrustMe, principal engineer Trevor Lafleur helped to develop a propulsion system that uses iodine as a cheap and compact fuel.
"Because iodine can be stored as a solid and you don't need these heavy, high-pressure storage tanks, we can actually miniaturise the whole propulsion system," Dr Lafleur said.
Comments
Post a Comment