News
If You Don’t Make Your Technology Obsolete, Someone Else Will.
Our legacy is one of innovation and success, and we’re not done yet. Read about our latest developments and industry news.
Desert Works Propulsion Chosen for NewSpace Ignitor Program: Breaking Barriers in Space Innovation
Desert Works Propulsion was selected to participate in the competitive NewSpace Ignitor program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to reduce barriers that space companies face in moving their concepts beyond R&D. Learn more about the program and the other participants.
Erosion Rate Measurements for DART Spacecraft Ion Propulsion System
This article reviews the evaluation of real-time erosion characteristics of the NEXT ion engine under simulated flight conditions for the DART planetary defense mission, using a laser probe.
Authors: Mark W. Crofton, Donner T. Schoeffler, Jason A. Young, Michael J. Patterson; August 2022
Unlocking the Potential of Annular Ion Engines
Author: Michael Patterson, August 2016
This article summarizes the technology development status of the Annual Ion Engine (AIE) and potential forward-paths for further concept maturation.
Engine Modular Design and Construction for Reduced Cost and Accelerated Development, Applying a User-Specified Design Process
Author: Michael Patterson, July 2020
This report describes a novel approach in modular design and construction for electric propulsion thrusters.
ICOPS Mini Course on Electric Propulsion; May, 2022
Author: Michael Patterson
The mini course for the 2022 IEEE Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS) was on the topic of "Plasmas for Space Propulsion." The course included a talk presented by DWP on "Gridded-Ion Thrusters." Click below for a PDF copy of the presentation.