Fusion research propels space technology
13 Oct 2008
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Sabina Griffith
HEMP drive in operation (Photo courtesy IPP).
Know-how from fusion research propels space technology. A three-year program "Particle Simulations for Ion Drives in Space Technology" was launched on 30 September 2008 with a kick-off meeting at the Greifswald branch of Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP), Germany. The mathematical-physical tools for this were originally developed for fusion research. They are now to be adapted to make calculations for describing and optimizing electric drives for application in space technology.