Lab Photo Fall 2022

SPACE Lab at IEPC 2024 in Toulouse FR

Lab Photo Fall 2018

Lab Photo Fall 2022

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FACULTY & STAFF

Justin Little, PhD
Associate Professor

PhD, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University
MA, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University
BS, Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine

BS, Physics, University of California, Irvine

Prof. Little is the founder and director of the UW SPACE Lab. His research methods combine reduced-order theoretical modeling and innovative experiment design to explore the plasma physics fundamental to electric thrusters. The ultimate goal of his research is to improve the efficiency and capabilities of next-generation electric propulsion systems.

Curtis Promislow, PhD
Research Scientist

PhD, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington
MS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University
BS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University

Dr. Promislow is working on the High Pulse Rate planar Pulsed Inductive Thruster project, which investigates the effects of high pulse rate operation on the design, physics, and performance of planar pulsed inductive thrusters. His research combines power electronics and circuit design, plasma physics, and advanced plasma diagnostics.

Bennett Diamond
Research Engineer

MS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

BS, Aerospace Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Bennett designs, builds, tests, and supports various SPACE Lab projects through his background in fusion plasmas and aerospace engineering. He likes clouds and trains.

Danny Roberts
Research Engineer

MS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington
BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Danny is constructing an experiment to assess the efficacy of low-drag materials for spacecraft in LEO. He also supports SPACE Lab thruster research with manufacturing, integration, and testing. When not in the lab, he is likely cycling.

STUDENTS

Peter Thoreau
PhD Student

MS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington
MSc, Space Studies, International Space University
BE, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Queensland
BSc, Physics, University of Queensland

Peter is researching Magnetically Shielded Hall Thrusters. His research covers plasma lensing and novel operation of the SPACE Lab low power Hall thruster. He has designed and built the thruster along with diagnostics for the lab including a thrust stand and Faraday probe array.

Arvindh Sharma
PhD Student

ME, Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, University of Cincinnati
BE, Aeronautical Engineering, Anna University

Arvindh is working on characterizing the evolution of dynamic structures in a Pulsed Inductive Thruster plasma. He comes from a background in fluids and combustion research and plans to apply image processing techniques to the study of plasma physics. His goal is to contribute to the development of space propulsion systems for long-term space exploration.

Landon Bevier
PhD Student

BS, Physics, University of Washington
BA, Mathematics, University of Washington

Landon’s research focuses on developing our understanding of plasma chemical reactions in molecular propellant EP devices. This work is done both experimentally with the use of a Helicon plasma source as well as theoretically by way of simulated molecular plasma models.

Patrick Rae
PhD Student

BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Traditional electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) thrusters have experienced lifetime limitations from antenna erosion which have prevented their use in space. Patrick is developing a shielded antenna ECR to expand the future possibilities for ECR thruster implementation.

Evan Dicker
PhD Student

BS, Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology

Evan’s research focuses on investigating anomalous electron transport in Magnetically Shielded Hall Thrusters to characterize the impact of high frequency plasma oscillations on performance characteristics. His work will utilize a combination of experimental and simulated modeling techniques to elucidate the physical mechanisms of this thrust-limiting phenomenon.

Richard Schure
MS Student

BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Richard’s research focuses on Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) planar patch antenna design. By moving the antenna out of the plasma and into a shielded region the lifetime of the ECR thruster will be greatly enhanced. Richard is also interested in exploring methods that will enhance the efficiency of the ECR thruster by developing a robust simulation workspace in ANSYS HFSS and designing a swappable mounting system for iterative physical antenna testing.

Connie Phung
MS Student

BS, Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University

Hall thruster lifespan is currently limited by the durability of the inner pole. Connie is exploring the feasibility of an in-situ method of measuring inner pole erosion on magnetically shielded hall thrusters. This would enable erosion characterization in active thruster environments, minimizing disruptions and diagnostic turnaround during test campaigns.

Mitsuki Shimomura
MS Student

BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Understanding Hall thruster's oscillatory behavior and its influence on the exhaust plasma can have meaningful implications on the thruster's performance, design, and spacecraft interaction. Mitsuki's current research focuses on time-resolved plasma diagnostics for Hall thruster plasma, namely with an ExB probe. Obtained data will be closely applicable to computational models and simulations.

Hayden Nolting
MS Student

BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Lillie LaPlace
MS Student

BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Lillie is currently testing experimental methods of simulating solar wind interactions with lunar magnetic anomalies. Her research focuses on testing conditions under which charge separation generates a potential sufficient for lunar power system applications.

LAB ALUMNI

Research Scientist, UW

Curtis Promislow, PhD

Propulsion Engineer, NASA MSFC

Isabella Rieco, MS

Mechanical Engineer III, AFRL

Cameron Marsh, MS

Project Engineer, Aerojet Rocketdyne

Nadiah Jenkins, MS

Propulsion Engineer, NRL

Anna Sheppard, PhD

Research Scientist, Avalanche Energy

Sari Emese Barczay, MS

USAF Test Pilot School

Gordon McCulloh, MS

Propulsion Engineer, Blue Origin

Diego Mejia Montano, MS

Propulsion Engineer, NASA JPL

Charles Kelly, PhD

FACULTY & STAFF

Justin Little, PhD Associate Professor PhD, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University MA, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University BS, Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine

BS, Physics, University of California, Irvine

Curtis Promislow, PhD Research Scientist PhD, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington MS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University BS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University

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Bennett Diamond Research Engineer MS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

BS, Aerospace Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

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Danny Roberts Research Engineer MS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

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STUDENTS

Peter Thoreau PhD Student MS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington MSc, Space Studies, International Space University BE, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Queensland BSc, Physics, University of Queensland

​Peter is researching Magnetically Shielded Hall Thrusters. His research covers plasma lensing and novel operation of the SPACE Lab low power Hall thruster. He has designed and built the thruster along with diagnostics for the lab including a thrust stand and Faraday probe array.

Arvindh Sharma PhD Student ME, Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, University of Cincinnati BE, Aeronautical Engineering, Anna University

Landon Bevier PhD Student BS, Physics, University of Washington BA, Mathematics, University of Washington

Patrick Rae PhD Student BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Evan Dicker PhD Student BS, Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology

Richard Schure MS Student BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Connie Phung MS Student BS, Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University

Mitsuki Shimomura MS Student BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Hayden Nolting MS Student BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington

Lillie LaPlace MS Student BS, Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington