Helicon Double Layer Thruster Development: Press Archive

Media Releases

Revolutionary Thruster Set For Space Launch - ANU Media Release - Apr 22 2009

ESA accelerates towards a new space thruster - European Space Agency Media Release - Dec 13 2005

Electric Double Layer is Secret Behind Revolutionary Space Thruster - ANU Research Highlights Article - 2004 (~80kB PDF file)

Australian Space Engine for Satellite Trial - Cooperative Research Centre Association Media Release - Mar 16 2004

ANU Thruster could take man to Mars - ANU Media Release - Jan 27 2004

Posters

Electric Double Layer is Secret Behind Revolutionary Space Thruster - ANU Research Highlights Poster - 2004 (~1.2MB PDF file)

Online Newspaper Articles

Aussie hardware thrusts in to space - Technology and Business - April 24 2009

Aust-made plasma thruster faces space test - ABC News Online - April 22 2009

Plasma thruster tested for Mars mission - PhysOrg.com- Jan 03 2006

Australia develops power for inter-planetary travels - The National Business Review, New Zealand - Dec 29 2005

ESA trials Australian plasma thruster - ABC Regional Online - Dec 29 2005

Space agency to do more Aussie tests - ninemsn.com - Dec 28 2005

Space agency to do more Aussie tests - Sydney Morning Herald - Dec 28 2005

Look Out, Stars, Here We Come - Plasma Engine Passes Test - Free Internet Press - Dec 15 2005

Here’s how space travel can get faster - Daily News & Analysis, India - Dec 15 2005

New Plasma Thruster Promises Faster Spacecraft - Science a Gogo - Dec 14 2005

ESA Accelerates Towards A New Space Thruster - Science Daily - Dec 14 2005

Plasma engine passes initial test - BBC News, UK - Dec 14 2005

Plasma Engine Could Open Up Space Exploration - Universe Today - Dec 13 2005

ESA accelerates towards a new space thruster - Innovations Report, Germany - Dec 13 2005

ANU Space Work's Big Thrust - Canberra Times - Jul 22 2004

ANU Could Make US Mars Wish Come True - Embassy of Australia in the US - Current News Section - Feb 2004

Space thrust - The Bulletin - Cutting Edge Developments Section - Feb 04 2004

ANU thruster attracts attention - The Australian - IT Section - Feb 03 2004

Thrusters promise a fast trip to Mars - ABC Science News - Jan 30 2004

Researchers create new plasma thruster - The Universe Today - Jan 29 2004

Deep space drive: ANU team developing interplanetary engine - The Canberra Times - Jul 1 2003

Magazine Articles

Rocket Scientist Has Sights Set On Mars - ANU ScienceWise - Oct 13 2008

Perfecting Plasma Power - ANU Reporter - Autumn 2004

Electric Double Layer is Secret Behind Revolutionary Space Thruster - RSPhysSE Research Highlights - Aug 2004 (~100KB PDF file)

Thruster makes waves - ANU ScienceWise Article - April Edition 2004 See page 4 (~300KB PDF file)

Our new engine key to Space exploration? - ScienceNews Western Australia - National News Section - Mar 2004

Plasma thruster could be ticket to Mars - LabOnline.com.au - Latest News Section - Feb 2004

Electric Double Layer is Secret Behind Revolutionary Space Thruster - RSPhysSE Annual Report 2003 - Research Highlights - Page 10 (~1.4 MB PDF File)

Charge to the stars - The Engineer - UK Engineering Industry publication - Jul 11 2003

ANU helps drive Mars missions - ANU Reporter Article - Volume 34 No. 3 2003 See page 11 (1.1 MB PDF file)

ANU’s plasma thrusters could be ticket to Mars - PriceWaterhouseCoopers TECH Watch - Volume 12 No. 30 - Jul 31 2002 See page 2 (0.3 MB PDF file)

To Mars and Beyond: The Australian Plasma Thruster - The Physicist - Volume 39 No. 6 - Nov/Dec 2002 (1.9 MB PDF file)

Plasma-powered rockets - CSIRO's The Helix- 2002 (250kB JPEG file)

Newspaper Clippings

ANU thrusts back into space race - The Canberra Times - Apr 23 2009 (2.5MB PDF File)

Mars in our grasp - The City Chronicle - Feb 03 2004 (260kB JPEG File)

ANU thruster attracts attention - The Australian - IT Section - Feb 03 2004 (150kB JPEG File)

Space travel makes astronauts environmentally aware - The Canberra Times - Aug 19 2003 (290kB JPEG File)

Deep space drive: ANU team developing interplanetary engine - The Canberra Times - Jul 1 2003 (150kB JPEG file)

Podcasts

Podcast: Plasma Thruster Prototype - Universe Today - Includes mp3 download and transcript of interview with Dr Christine Charles - Dec 22 2002

Radio Interviews

Space Travel & the Plasma Thruster Project - The World Today - ABC Local Radio - Transcript of interview with Prof Rod Boswell - Jun 18 2002

Getting off the Planet - The Science Show - Transcript of interview with Prof Rod Boswell - May 18 2002

Television Interviews/Segments

ABC's CATALYST - Feature on Helicon Double Layer Thruster Development - August 2 2007

A follow up story on the progress made in the development of the Helicon Double Layer Thruster (HDLT) featured on ABC's Catalyst Program on Thursday, 2nd of August @ 8pm.

For the transcript of the segment visit the story archive of Catalyst by clicking here.

ABC 2 TV's SKYWATCH - The Helicon Double Layer Thruster - March 5 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.

ABC's CATALYST - Feature on Double Layer Discovery & HDLT - August 26 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 on Thursday, 26th of August @ 8pm.

For the transcript and streamed video of the segment visit the story archive of Catalyst by clicking here.

CANBERRA ABC TV State Television News - 7.17pm Jul 2 2003
ANU researchers from the Plasma Research Laboratory have claimed a breakthrough in space propulsion systems this week, creating a rocket that runs on hydrogen. Dr Christine Charles (the discoverer of the helicon double-layer thruster) believes that a prototype could be developed in a few years. Professor Rod Boswell says it works through charged ions. Interview with Orson Sutherland who says viability depends on making space travel fast.

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