Michael West

PhD Student

Research Topics:
helicon double layer thruster
plasma propulsion systems for spacecraft

Space Plasma, Power & Propulsion Group

contact

e-mail: michael.west@anu.edu.au
+61 02 6125 2784 (office)
+61 421 062 650 (mobile)
+61 02 6125 8552 (fax)
web-page: Helicon Double Layer Thruster
blog: Michael's Blog

postal address

Space Plasma, Power & Propulsion Group
Research School of Physics & Engineering
Australian National University
ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA

education

Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical) (Space Engineering) (Hons) - University of Sydney 2005
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Physics & Geophysics) - University of Sydney 2005

publications

Journal & Peer-Reviewed Articles

M.D. WEST, C. CHARLES and R.W. BOSWELL "A high sensitivity momentum flux measuring instrument for plasma thruster exhaust and diffusive plasmas". Review of Scientific Instruments 80, 053509 (2009).

M.D. WEST, C. CHARLES and R.W. BOSWELL "Testing a Helicon Double Layer Thruster Immersed in a Space-Simulation Chamber". Journal of Propulsion & Power 24, 1, 134-141 (2008)

J.H. LAING, J. CLARKE, J. DECKERT, V. GOSTIN, J. HOOGLAND, L. LEMKE, J. LEYDEN, G. MANN, G. MURPHY, C. STOMKER, M. THOMAS, J. WALDIE, M. WALTER and M. WEST "Using an Australian Mars Analogue Research Facility for Astrobiology Education and Outreach" in Bioastronomy 2002: Life Among The Stars, Proceedings of IAU Symposium #213, Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, July 8-12, 2002, R.P. Norris & F. Stootman (eds.), Astronomical Society of the Pacific: San Francisco, U.S.A. (2003).

M. WEST and J. RAPER "Cultivating Generic Capabilities to Develop Future Engineers: An Examination of 1st Year Interdisciplinary Engineering Projects at the University of Sydney" in Engineering Education for a Sustainable Future: Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference for Australasian Association for Engineering Education and 9th Australasian Women in Engineering Forum, A. Brown (editor), Melbourne, Victoria, Australasian Association for Engineering Education (2003).

Published Works
M.D. WEST, "The Effect of the Space Environment on Polycarbonate Materials". Engineering Undergraduate Honours Thesis, University of Sydney (2005).

J.D.A. CLARKE, G. MURPHY and M.D. WEST (eds.) "Exploring the Red Planet: Online Proceedings of the 2nd Australian Mars Exploration Conference". Sydney (2003).

awards & grants

NSW Finalist 2006 Young Australian of the Year Awards
2009 Australia Day Ambassador - Visited Young Shire Council Region
2008 Australia Day Ambassador - Visited Snowy River Shire Council Region
2007 Australia Day Ambassador - Visited Kyogle Shire Council Region
2006 Australia Day Ambassador - Visited Tumut Shire Council Region
$1500 Grant in 2006 from Youth Space Enginering Funding Scheme, National Committee on Space Engineering, Engineers Australia
Special Service Citation, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2008

recent media articles

Space Engines of the Future: The Potential of Plasma - ANU ScienceWise, May/June 2009
Young's Finest Rewarded - The Young Witness, 28th Jan 2009
Rocket Scientist Has Eyes Set On Mars - ANU ScienceWise, 13th Oct 2008
Mars' tiny moons - one small step for mankind? - New Scientist, 8th Nov, 2007
Celebrating Australia's space heritage - ANU ScienceWise, January/February 2007

memberships

International Member, Electric Propulsion Technical Committee - American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
Board of Advisors - Mars Institute
Treasurer - AIAA Sydney Section
Science Support Team - Phobos Reconnaissance International Mars Exploration (PRIME) Mission
ARC Complex Open Systems Research Network (COSNet) - Central Node