Helicon Double Layer Thruster Development: Recent News
HDLT Features on ABC 2 TV's SkyWatch
5th March 2007
The Helicon Double Layer Thruster recently featured in a segment on SkyWatch which aired on ABC 2 TV's AustraliaWide program. The segment aired on Monday March 5 and includes an interview with Dr Christine Charles and PhD student, Michael West and footage of the Helicon Double Layer Thruster operating inside a new space simulation vacuum facility. The segment can be viewed online at ABC 2's website by following this link. More information about the Australian designed, built and tested Helicon Double Layer Thruster can be found here.
ESA Accelerates Towards A New Space Thruster
13th December 2005
The European Space Agency has confirmed the principle of a new space thruster, developed by the Space Plasma Power & Propulsion Group, that may ultimately give much more thrust than today’s electric propulsion techniques. The concept is an ingenious one, inspired by the northern and southern aurorae, the glows in the sky that signal increased solar activity. Read more here.
ANU Builds & Tests World's First Dual-Stage 4-Grid Ion Thruster
November 2005
A contract awarded by the European Space Agency to the Plasma Research Laboratory of the Australian National University has resulted in the world's first dual-stage 4-grid ion thruster. ANU were able to successfully complete the design, development, fabrication and initial functional verification testing in Canberra of the SAFE/DS4G thruster to ESA specifications. Due to their previous experience in developing high voltage Focussed Ion Beams for the semiconductor industry with RF plasma sources this was achieved within a period of only 5 months. On 7th November 2005, the DS4G thruster was delivered to ESTEC in time for a one-month long test campaign in ESTEC's Electric Propulsion Test Facility during November/December 2005. ANU were also in integral part of the test team.
Read more here.
Double Layer Discovery & HDLT Feature on ABC's Catalyst Program
26th August 2004
The story of the helicon double-layer discovery and the development of the helicon double-layer plasma thruster (HDLT) featured on ABC's Catalyst Program this Thursday, 26th of August @ 8pm.
For the transcript and streamed video of the segment visit the story archive of Catalyst by clicking here.
HDLT Researchers Visit ESA
April 2004
Dr Christine Charles and Professor Rod Boswell have recently returned from Europe where they inspected the European Space Agency's facilities in the Netherlands. During their trip they discussed the requirements for the design of the prototype Helicon Double Layer Thruster and its trials, which are planned for early 2005.
HDLT Development Receives Significant Funding Boost
Mar 2004
The Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems (CRCSS) has teamed up with the inventors of the Helicon Double Layer Thruster to pursue the development and testing of this new space propulsion technology. The colloboration has been awarded a grant from the Innovation Access Programme - International Science and Technology (IAP-IST) scheme established under the Australian Government's innovation statement, Backing Australia's Ability. The funding will assist in the testing of the HDLT in a large vacuum test chamber operated by the European Space Agency.
For more details visit the Press Archive and click on the media release from the CRC Association.
HDLT Receives Extensive Media Coverage
Feb 2004
The Helicon Double Layer Thruster has received extensive coverage in the media in the past month including segments on WIN News in Canberra, articles in The Bulletin, The Australian and ABC Science Online news. A story about the HDLT was also published on The Universe Today website.
For more details visit the Press Archive and click on the relevant articles.
NASA Astronaut Visits SP3
Aug 2003
The Director of the Advance Space Propulsion Laboratory (APSL) at Johnson Space Centre (JSC) Houston and distinguished NASA astronaut, Dr Franklin Chang-Diaz visited the SP3 group at ANU to discuss the development of the Helicon Double Layer Thruster. Discussions also focused on SP3's contribution to the VASIMR project - NASA's plasma rocket designed for future interplanetary travel. Dr Chang-Diaz also gave several public talks in Canberra and Sydney during his visit.
For photos taken during Dr Chang-Diaz's visit check out the Multimedia Gallery and click on the relevant images.
