Thursday, August 21, 2014

Eagleworks: NASA engineering's 'Manhattan Project'

NASA Eagleworks Microwave Thruster: Prototype microwave thruster produced by NASA "Eagleworks" Advanced Propulsion Research at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Dr. Harold J. White and his team, together with the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins, began work on this powerful, highly useful technology in 2011. "A working microwave thruster would radically cut the cost of satellites and space stations and extend their working life, drive a plethora of suddenly affordable deep-space missions, and take astronauts to Mars in days to weeks rather than months" [NASA/JSC].
Karim Immanuel Chemial
Circus Bazaar

In 2011 the NASA engineering directorate created the Advanced propulsion team unofficially known as the “Eagleworks.”

This rock star team of scientists and engineers are headed by Harold ‘Sonny’ White, engineer and applied physicist of NASA’s propulsion team at the Johnson Space Center. The goal of the Eagleworks was to push the boundaries of accepted design and find new and novel ways for humanity to travel practically into and through space.

As the Advanced Propulsion Team Lead for the NASA Engineering Directorate, Harold White has several revolutionary projects in progress to massively advance current space propulsion systems. And in a remarkably short period of time Dr Whites team has made significant advances in our understanding and physical application of propulsion systems as well as developing two new concepts in human space propulsion including a controversial prototype.

Read the article in full, HERE.

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