UH Space Physics Current Activities

[ Home ] [ Next ]

 

Home
Antarctic Atmospheric Electricity
Polar Patrol Balloon Studies
Balloon Observations of MEV Precipitation
Sprites99 Balloon Campaign
VASIMR Plasma Diagnostics
Plasma Rocket Exhaust Plume
Detection of High Voltage Spacecraft Charging
Balloon Studies of the Antarctic Ionosphere
Balloon Measurements Above MACCS
Auroral X Ray Imaging
Thermal Plasma Moment Analyzer
Global Foot-of-the-field-line Electrodynamics
Antarctic Atmospheric Electricity

 

Here are Some Other Useful Links

 

 

FMA Research, Inc.

LANL Lightning Waveform Data



[Aurora]  

 

 

UH Space Physics Group Activities

Contents

  1. Contents
  2. Recent Publications
  3. Current Activities
  4. Future Plans



Recent Publications

Refereed Papers

  1. The global circuit, E. A. Bering, III, A. A. Few and J. R. Benbrook, Physics Today, 51(10), 24-30, 1998.
  2. On the hourly contribution of global lightning to the atmospheric electric field, M. Füllekrug, A. C. Fraser-Smith, E. A. Bering, III and A. A. Few, J. Atmos. Solar Terr. Phys., 61, 745-750, 1999.
  3. The global electric circuit, E. A. Bering, III, A. A. Few, and J. R. Benbrook, Parity, 4, 33-41, 1999.
  4. The geoelectric field at Vostok, Antarctica: it's relation to the Interplanetary Magnetic Field and the polar cap potential, A. V. Frank-Kamenetsky, G. B. Burns, O. A. Troshichev, V. O. Papitashvili, E. A. Bering, III and W. J. R. French, J. Atmos. Solar Terr. Phys., 61, 1347-1356, 1999.
  5. The hundred year hunt for the red sprite, W. A. Lyons, R.A. Armstrong, E. A. Bering, III, and E. R. Williams, EOS, Trans. AGU., 81(33), 373-377, 2000.
  6. Sprite and elve electrodynamics, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W. A. Lyons, Adv. Space Res., 30, 2585-2595, 2002.
  7. The electrodynamics of sprites, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W. A. Lyons, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 10.1029/2001GL013267, 2002.
  8. Polar Patrol Balloon experiment in Antarctica during 2002-2003, A. Kadokura, H. Yamagishi, N. Sato, M. Ejiri, H. Hirosawa, T. Yamagami, S. Torii, F. Tohyama, M. Nakagawa, T. Okada, and E. A. Bering, Adv. Polar Upper Atmos. Res., 16, 157-172, 2002.
  9. The geoelectric field at Vostok, Antarctica, Corney, R.C., G.B. Burns, K. Michael, A. V. Frank-Kamenetsky, O.A. Troishichev, E.A. Bering, V.O. Papitashvili, and A. Breed, J. Atmos. Solar Terr. Phys., 65, 345-354, 2003.
  10. Multi-station studies of the simultaneous occurrence rate of Pc 3 micropulsations and magnetic impulsive events, D. W. Shields, E. A. Bering, III, A. Alaniz, S. E. M. Mason, W. Guo, R. L. Arnoldy Jr., M. J. Engebretson, W. J. Hughes, D. L. Murr, L. J. Lanzerotti, and C. G. Maclennan, J. Geophys. Res., 108(A6), 1225, doi:10.1029/2002JA009397, 2003.
  11. Progress in Experimental Research of the VASIMR Engine, J. P. Squire, F. R. Chang Díaz, T. W. Glover, V. T. Jacobson, D. G. Chavers, R. D. Bengtson, E. A. Bering III, R. W. Boswell, R. H. Goulding, M. Light, Proceedings of Open Systems, July 1-5, 2002, Jeju Island, Korea, 2002, Transactions of Fusion Technology, 43, 111-117, 2003. (Invited)
  12. Long term changes in the electrical conductivity of the stratosphere, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, R. H. Holzworth, G. J. Byrne, and S. P. Gupta, Adv. Space Res., 32, 1725-1735, 2003.
  13. Calibrating and deriving physical parameters using plasma contactor data from the international space station, E. A. Bering, III, S. Koontz, D. Evans, I. Katz, B. Gardner, R. M. Suggs, J.I. Minow, P.. Dalton, D.C. Ferguson, G.B. Hillard, J.L.Counts, H. Barsamian, J. Kern, R. Mikatarian, Adv. Space Res., 32, 2343-2348, 2003.
  14. Observations of transient luminous events (TLEs) associated with negative cloud to ground (-CG) lightning strokes E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, L. Bhusal, J. A. Garrett, A. M. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W. A. Lyons, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31(5), L05104, doi10.1029/2003GL018659, 03 March 2004.
  15. Statistics and properties of TLE’s found in 1999 sprites balloon campaign, L.Bhusal, E.A.Bering, III, J.R.Benbrook, J.A.Garrett, A.M. Paredes, E.M.Wescott, D.R.Moudry, D.D.Sentman, H.C.Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A.Lyons, Adv. Space Res., 33, 2004. (In press)
  16. The results from the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, Adv. Space Res., 33, 2004. (In press)
  17. Seasonal variations of atmospheric electricity measured at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, B. N. Reddell, J. R. Benbrook, E. A. Bering III, E. N. Cleary, and A. A. Few, J. Geophys. Res., 108,, 2004. (submitted to)
  18. The uses of RF waves in space propulsion systems, E. A. Bering, III, F.R. Chang-Díaz, J. P. Squire, Radio Science Bulletin, 2004. (Submitted to)(invited)

Technical Reports

  1. Geoelectric and geomagnetic Pc 3 pulsations during traveling convection vortices, E.A. Bering, III, J.R. Benbrook, K. Lee, M.J. Engebretson, and J. R. Beck, Antarct. J. U. S., 30(5), 349-351, (1995).
  2. Diurnal and seasonal observations of the global electric circuit from South Pole Station, E.N. Cleary, A.A. Few, E.A. Bering, III, J.R. Benbrook, and G.J. Byrne, Antarct. J. U. S., 30(5), 346-347, (1995).
  3. High voltage spacecraft charging: Theory and measurement, E. A. Bering, III, R. Kabadi and B. J. McIntyre, Proceedings of AIAA Space 2000, AIAA, (2000).
  4. The VASIMR engine approach to solar system exploration, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, E. A. Bering, III, J. A. George, A.Ilin, A. J. Petro, Proceedings of the 39th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit , AIAA, (2001).
  5. Experimental studies of the exhaust plasma of the VASIMR engine, E. A. Bering, III, M. Brukardt, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, V. Jacobson, R. D. Bengtson, J. N. Gibson, T. W. Glover, Proceedings of the 40th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit , AIAA, (2002).
  6. The plasma environment of the International Space Station in the austral summer auroral zone inferred from plasma contactor data, E. A. Bering, III, S. Koontz, I. Katz, B. Gardner, D. Evans, D. Ferguson, Proceedings of the 40th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit , AIAA, (2002).
  7. Ion Dynamics and ICRH Heating in the Exhaust Plasma of The VASIMR Engine, E. A. Bering, M. S. Brukardt, W. A. Rodriguez, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, V. T. Jacobson, A. V. Ilin, D. S. Winter, R. D. Bengtson, J. N. Gibson, T. W. Glover, D. G. Chavers, Proceedings of the 53rd International Astronautical Congress / The World Space Congress, AIAA, (2002).
  8. Experimental research progress toward the VASIMR engine, J.P. Squire, F. R. Chang-Díaz, V. T. Jacobson, T. W. Glover, F. W. Baity, R. H. Goulding, R. D. Bengtson, E. A. Bering III, and K. A. Stokke, Proceedings of the 28th International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC 2003, IEPC 03-286, Toulouse, France, 17-21 March 2003.
  9. The VASIMR engine: Project status and recent accomplishments, F. R. Chang-Díaz, F. R., J. P. Squire, T. Glover, A. J. Petro, E. A. Bering III, F. W. Baity Jr., R. H. Goulding, M. D. Carter, R. D. Bengtson, and B. N. Breizman, Proceedings of the 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 5-8, 2004.
  10. Velocity phase space studies of ion dynamics in the VASIMR engine, E. A. Bering, III, F. R. Chang-Díaz, J. P. Squire, T. W. Glover, R. D. Bengtson, and M. Brukardt, Proceedings of the 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 5-8, 2004.
  11.  

Invited Talks

  1. Antarctic studies of space and atmospheric electrodynamics. invited talk given to the Department of Physics, Dartmouth College, March 12, (1998).
  2. Antarctic studies of space and atmospheric electrodynamics. invited talk given to the Department of Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, March 31, (1998).
  3. Electrodynamic Coupling Between Troposphere and Ionosphere, invited paper presented at the ESF Workshop on Space Weather Coupling, Strasbourg, France, 1-3 December, (1999)
  4. Observations at Yucca Ridge during the 1999 NASA Sprites Balloon Campaign, W. A. Lyons, T. E. Nelson, J. L. Eastman, R. A. Armstrong, E. R. Williams, D. S. Suszcynsky, M. A. Taylor, Y. Takahashi, E. A. Bering, III and J. R. Benbrook, invited paper, in National Radio Science Meeting, 4-8 January, 2000, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 171, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2000.
  5. Sprite and Elve Electrodynamics, invited paper presented at 33rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly (COSPAR 2000), Warsaw, Poland, 16 - 23 July, (2000).

  6. Electric Fields and Pc3's Observed During Traveling Current Vortices, invited paper presented at the Workshop on Traveling Current Vortices, International Space Science Institute, Bern, Switzerland, 24 July - 5 August, (2000)

  7. The hunt for red sprites, invited paper presented to the Physics Department, University of Houston, 24 October, (2000).

  8. The hunt for red sprites, invited paper presented to the Exchange Club of Houston, 30 November, (2000).

  9. Sprite and Elve Electrodynamics, invited paper presented to the National Radio Science Meeting, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 8-11 January, (2001) .

  10. The hunt for red sprites, invited paper presented to the Physics Department, University of Texas at Dallas, 7 February, (2001).

  11. Electrodynamic Coupling Between Troposphere and Ionosphere, invited paper presented to the Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania, 1 November, (2001).

  12. Progress in Experimental Research of the VASIMR Engine, J. P. Squire, F. R. Chang Díaz, T. W. Glover, V. T. Jacobson, D. G. Chavers, R. D. Bengtson, E. A. Bering III, R. W. Boswell, R. H. Goulding, M. Light, invited paper presented to Open Systems, July 1-5, 2002, Jeju Island, Korea, 2002 .
  13. Properties of the auroral zone ionosphere inferred using plasma contactor data from the International Space Station, E. A. Bering, III, S. Koontz, D. Evans, I. Katz, B. Gardner, R. M. Suggs, J.I. Minow, P.. Dalton, D.C. Ferguson, G.B. Hillard, J.L.Counts, H. Barsamian, J. Kern, R. Mikatarian, XXXVIIth General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 17-24 August, 2002, in Programme, Poster Presentations, International Union of Radio Science, XXVIIth General Assembly, edited by M. M. P. Hall, and G. Brussaard, p. 152, URSI, Ghent, Belgium, 2002.

  14. The hunt for red sprites, invited paper presented to the National Institute of Polar Research, Tokyo, Japan, 19 September, 2002.

  15. The results from the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, invited paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.

  16. Long term changes in the electrical conductivity of the stratosphere, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, R. H. Holzworth, and G. J. Byrne, invited paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.

  17. The results from the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. M. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, invited paper presented at XXIII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, IUGG2003, June 30- July 11, 2003, Sapporo, Japan, Abstracts, vol. Week B, edited by Secretariat General of IUGG2003, p. B.195, Japan Marine Science and Technology Center, Yokosuka, Japan, 2003.

  18. The results of the 1999 Sprites Balloon Campaign, E. A. Bering, Invited talk presented to the Space Sciences Seminar, Physics Department, University of California, Berkeley, 9 September 2003.

  19. Studies of Geospace with Antarctic Balloons, E. A. Bering, and J. G. Sample, invited paper presented to the US Antarctic Program, National Science Foundation, McMurdo Station, Antarctica, 14 December, 2003.

  20. Studies of Geospace with Antarctic Balloons, E. A. Bering, and J. G. Sample, invited paper presented to the Houston Astronomical Society, Houston, TX, 2 April, 2004.
  21.  

Abstracts

  1. VASIMR: The Ion Diagnostics. E. A. Bering, III, Paper presented at the VASIMR Theory Workshop, JSC, Houston, TX, March 25-26, 1999.
  2. Detection of large electric fields in space, R. Kabadi, E. A. Bering, III and B. McIntyre, 1999 AIAA Annual Technical Symposium, Houston, TX, May 28, 1999.
  3. Multi-station studies of the overlap and propagation speed of Pc 3 micropulsations and magnetic impulsive events, D. W. Shields, E. A. Bering, III, S. E. M. Mason, A. Alaniz, R. Arnoldy, M. J. Engebretson, and W. J. Hughes, paper presented at the GEM Snowmass Workshop, 1999, Snowmass, Colo., June 21-25, (1999).
  4. An explanation of the Pc 5 polarization puzzle observation at South Pole Station, E. A. Bering, III and P. Nenovski, XXII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, Abstracts, , , Birmingham, UK, July 10-24, (1999).
  5. Electrodynamic Coupling Between Troposphere and Ionosphere, E. A. Bering, III, invited paper presented at the ESF Workshop on Space Weather Coupling, Strasbourg, France, 1-3 December, (1999).
  6. The spatial structure of Pc3 events during magnetic impulsive events, D. W. Shields, E. A. Bering, III, R. L. Arnoldy, M. J. Engebretson, and W. J. Hughes, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F851, 1999.
  7. The 1999 Sprites Balloon Campaign, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F216, 1999.
  8. Sprites'99 Campaign highlights at the Yucca Ridge Field Station, W. A. Lyons, T. E. Nelson, J. L. Eastman, E. R. Williams, D. S. Suszcynsky, M. A. Taylor, Y. Takahashi, E. A. Bering, III and J. R. Benbrook, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F216, 1999.
  9. Observations of ELF/VLF sprite magnetic fields on August 21, 1999, A. Paredes, J. R. Benbrook, E. A. Bering, III, J. A. Garrett, E. M. Wescott, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F217, 1999.
  10. Supporting observations (X-rays, etc.) during the sprite balloon campaign, J. R. Benbrook, E. A. Bering, III, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F217, 1999.
  11. Observations of sprite electric fields on August 21, 1999, J. A. Garrett, J. R. Benbrook, E. A. Bering, III, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F226, 1999.
  12. Middle atmosphere electric fields driven by inertial waves: Implications for atmosphere-ionosphere coupling, R. H. Holzworth, and E. A. Bering, III, EOS, Trans. AGU, 80(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F778, 1999.
  13. The Sprites 99 Balloon Campaign, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, in National Radio Science Meeting, 4-8 January, 2000, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 170, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2000.
  14. Observations at Yucca Ridge during the 1999 NASA Sprites Balloon Campaign, W. A. Lyons, T. E. Nelson, J. L. Eastman, R. A. Armstrong, E. R. Williams, D. S. Suszcynsky, M. A. Taylor, Y. Takahashi, E. A. Bering, III and J. R. Benbrook, in National Radio Science Meeting, 4-8 January, 2000, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 171, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2000.
  15. Sprite and Elve Electrodynamics, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W. A. Lyons, invited paper presented at 33rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly (COSPAR 2000), Warsaw, Poland, 16 -23 July 2000.
  16. High voltage spacecraft charging: Theory and measurement, E. A. Bering, III, R. Kabadi and B. J. McIntyre, AIAA Space 2000, Long Beach, CA, 19-21 September, 2000.
  17. An overview of current research on the VASIMR engine, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, A. V. Ilin, A. J. Petro, R. D. Bengtson, B. N. Breizman, F. W. Baity, M. D. Carter, R. Z. Sagdeev, K. Molvig, E. A. Bering, A. A. Chan, D. Micheletti, 2000 APS-DPP Mini Conference on Plasma Propulsion, 42nd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, Québec City, Canada, 23-27 October, 2000.
  18. Recent experimental results in the VX-10 device, J. P. Squire, F. R. Chang Díaz, V. T. Jacobson, G. E. McCaskill, J. E. McCoy, A. J. Petro, F. W. Baity, R. D. Bengtson, E. A. Bering, J. A. Garrett, T. W. Glover, 2000 APS-DPP Mini Conference on Plasma Propulsion, 42nd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, Québec City, Canada, 23-27 October, 2000.
  19. A power and particle flow analysis of the VASIMR experiments, R. D. Bengtson, J. Gibson, M. Panevsky, B. N. Breizman, F. R. Chang Díaz, M. Baine, A. V. Ilin, G. E. McCaskill, J. P. Squire, D. S. Winter, E. A. Bering, 2000 APS-DPP Mini Conference on Plasma Propulsion, 42nd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, Québec City, Canada, 23-27 October, 2000.
  20. Sprite and Elve Electrodynamics, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 81(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F135, 2000.
  21. Sprite Halo Electrodynamics, J. A. Garrett, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 81(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F131, 2000.
  22. The spatial structure of Pc3 emissions observed during traveling current vortices, M. Brukhart, D. W. Shields, E. A. Bering, III, D. L. Murr, W. J. Hughes, M. J. Engebretson, K. Hayashi, EOS, Trans. AGU, 81(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F1003, 2000.
  23. TCV-Concurrent Pc 3's Detected by Geotail Spacecraft and by Ground Stations, D. W. Shields, D. L. Murr, E. A. Bering, III, M. Brukhart, W. J. Hughes, M. J. Engebretson, K. Hayashi, EOS, Trans. AGU, 81(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F1003, 2000.
  24. Sprite and Elve Electrodynamics, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, in National Radio Science Meeting, 8-11 January, 2001, edited by G.S. Brown, p. 44, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2001.
  25. Sprite Halo Electrodynamics, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. Paredes, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, in National Radio Science Meeting, 8-11 January, 2001, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 97, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2001.
  26. The VASIMR engine approach to solar system exploration, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, E. A. Bering, III, J. A. George, A.Ilin, A. J. Petro, 39th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit , Reno, NV, 8-11 January, 2001.
  27. VASIMR Ion Flow Results: 1.) Suprathermal ion flows in multi ion plasmas, and 2.) Velocity phase space distribution functions, E. A. Bering, III, Paper presented at the VASIMR Workshop, JSC, Houston, TX, March 28-29, 2001.
  28. Rapid decrease of dawnside convection electric field due to precipitation of substorm injection particles: Observation by PPB #5, A. Kadokura, M. Ejiri, N. Sato, Y. Ebihara, F. Tohyama, Y. Tonegawa, Y. Hirashima, H. Suzuki, E. A. Bering, III, and J. R. Benbrook, paper presented at The 25th Symposium on coordinated Observations of the Ionosphere and the Magnetosphere in the Polar Regions, National Institute of Polar Research, Tokyo, Japan, 30-31 July, 2001.
  29. Quantitative interpretation of sprite generated ELF pulses, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. M. Paredes, D. D. Sentman, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, paper presented at IAGA-IASPEI Join Scientific Assembly 2001, Hanoi, Vietnam, 19-31 August, 2001.
  30. Ion source development for the VASIMR engine, F.R. Chang-Díaz, J.P. Squire, V.T. Jacobson, G.E. McCaskill, D.S. Winter, T.W. Glover, D.G. Chavers, E.A. Bering, paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Ion Sources, Berkeley, CA, 6 September, 2001.
  31. Development of the VASIMR helicon source, V.T. Jacobson, F.R. Chang-Díaz, J.P. Squire, G.E. McCaskill, J.E. McCoy, A. J. Petro, D.S.Winter, H.M. Jamison, F.W. Baity, R.D. Bengtson, E.A. Bering, T.W. Glover, paper presented at the Annual APS-Division of Plasma Physics Meeting, Long Beach, CA October (2001).
  32. Particle and power balance in a helicon operating with light gasses [Experimental], R. D. Bengtson, J.N. Gibson, V.T. Jacobson, F.R. Chang-Díaz, G.E. McCaskill, J.E. McCoy, A. J. Petro, D.S. Winter, H.M. Jamison, E.A. Bering, T.W. Glover, paper CM1.020 presented at the Annual APS-Division of Plasma Physics Meeting, Long Beach, CA October (2001).
  33. Statistics of TLE types and properties observed during the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, L. Bhusal, E.A. Bering, J.R. Benbrook, J.A. Garrett, A.M.P. Jackson, D.R. Moudry, E.M. Wescott, D.D. Sentman, H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 82(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F151, 2001
  34. Mesospheric energy input owing to sprites and other TLE’s and the possible effects thereof, E.A. Bering, D.D. Sentman, J.R. Benbrook, L. Bhusal, J.A. Garrett, A.M.P. Jackson, D.R. Moudry, E.M. Wescott, H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A. Lyons, EOS, Trans. AGU, 82(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F149, 2001
  35. Properties of the auroral zone ionosphere inferred using plasma contactor data from the International Space Station, S. Koontz, E. A. Bering, III, D. Evans, I. Katz, B. Gardner, R. M. Suggs, J.I. Minow, P.. Dalton, D.C. Ferguson, G.B. Hillard, J.L.Counts, H. Barsamian, J. Kern, R. Mikatarian, EOS, Trans. AGU, 82(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), F957, 2001
  36. Statistics of TLE types and properties observed during the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, L. Bhusal, E.A. Bering, J.R. Benbrook, J.A. Garrett, A.M.P. Jackson, D.R. Moudry, E.M. Wescott, D.D. Sentman, H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A. Lyons, in National Radio Science Meeting, 9-12 January, 2002, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 298, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2002.
  37. Mesospheric energy input owing to sprites and other TLE’s and the possible effects thereof, E.A. Bering, D.D. Sentman, J.R. Benbrook, L. Bhusal, J.A. Garrett, A.M.P. Jackson, D.R. Moudry, E.M. Wescott, H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A. Lyons, in National Radio Science Meeting, 9-12 January, 2002, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 299, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2002.
  38. Properties of the auroral zone ionosphere inferred using plasma contactor data from the International Space Station, S. Koontz, E. A. Bering, III, D. Evans, I. Katz, B. Gardner, R. M. Suggs, J.I. Minow, P.. Dalton, D.C. Ferguson, G.B. Hillard, J.L.Counts, H. Barsamian, J. Kern, R. Mikatarian, in National Radio Science Meeting, 9-12 January, 2002, edited by G. S. Brown, p. 340, United States National Committee, International Union of Radio Science, Boulder, CO, 2002.
  39. Experimental studies of the exhaust plasma of the VASIMR engine, E. A. Bering, III, M. Brukardt, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, V. Jacobson, R. D. Bengtson, J. N. Gibson, T. W. Glover, 40th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit , AIAA, (2002).
  40. The plasma environment of the International Space Station in the austral summer auroral zone inferred from plasma contactor data, E. A. Bering, III, S. Koontz, I. Katz, B. Gardner, D. Evans, D. Ferguson, 40th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit , AIAA, (2002).
  41. Progress in Experimental Research of the VASIMR Engine, J. P. Squire, F. R. Chang Díaz, T. W. Glover, V. T. Jacobson, D. G. Chavers, R. D. Bengtson, E. A. Bering III, R. W. Boswell, R. H. Goulding, M. Light, Open Systems, July 1-5, 2002, Jeju Island, Korea, 2002 .
  42. Variation of the stratospheric vertical electric field associated with ionospheric potential variation: Observation by the PPB#4, A. Kadokura, M. Ejiri, N. Sato, Y. Ebihara, F. Tohyama, Y. Tonegawa, Y. Hirashima, H. Suzuki, E. A. Bering, III, and J. R. Benbrook, paper presented at The 26th Symposium on coordinated Observations of the Ionosphere and the Magnetosphere in the Polar Regions, National Institute of Polar Research, Tokyo, Japan, 30-31 July, 2002.
  43. Transient luminous event statistics, source strength energetics observed during the1999 sprites balloon campaign, E.A. Bering, J.R. Benbrook, J.A. Garrett, A.M.P. Jackson, D.R. Moudry, E.M. Wescott, D.D. Sentman, H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A. Lyons, XXXVIIth General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 17-24 August, 2002, in Programme, Poster Presentations, International Union of Radio Science, XXVIIth General Assembly, edited by M. M. P. Hall, and G. Brussaard, p. 79, URSI, Ghent, Belgium, 2002.
  44. Properties of the auroral zone ionosphere inferred using plasma contactor data from the International Space Station, E. A. Bering, III, S. Koontz, D. Evans, I. Katz, B. Gardner, R. M. Suggs, J.I. Minow, P.. Dalton, D.C. Ferguson, G.B. Hillard, J.L.Counts, H. Barsamian, J. Kern, R. Mikatarian, XXXVIIth General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 17-24 August, 2002, in Programme, Poster Presentations, International Union of Radio Science, XXVIIth General Assembly, edited by M. M. P. Hall, and G. Brussaard, p. 152, URSI, Ghent, Belgium, 2002.
  45. Statistics and properties of TLE’s found in 1999 sprites balloon campaign, L.Bhusal, E.A.Bering, III, J.R.Benbrook, J.A.Garrett, A.M.Paredes, E.M.Wescott, D.R.Moudry, D.D.Sentman, H.C.Stenbaek-Nielsen, W.A.Lyons, paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.
  46. The link between PC 3 emissions and traveling current vortices, D. Shields, E. A. Bering, III, D. Murr, M. Brukardt, W. J. Hughes, M. J. Engebretson, R. L. Arnoldy, K. Hayashi, L. J. Lanzerotti, C. G. Maclennan, paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.
  47. The results from the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, invited paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.
  48. Long term changes in the electrical conductivity of the stratosphere, E. A. Bering, III, J. R. Benbrook, R. H. Holzworth, and G. J. Byrne, invited paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.
  49. Calibrating and deriving physical parameters using plasma contactor data from the international space station, E. A. Bering, III, S. Koontz, D. Evans, I. Katz, B. Gardner, R. M. Suggs, J.I. Minow, P.. Dalton, D.C. Ferguson, G.B. Hillard, J.L.Counts, H. Barsamian, J. Kern, R. Mikatarian, paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.
  50. The new face of space – Exciting the next generation, M. J. Sanchez , E. A. Bering, III and/for the WSC Houston Organizing Committee Education Task Force, paper presented at 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 10 -19 October 2002.
  51. Ion Dynamics and ICRH Heating in the Exhaust Plasma of The VASIMR Engine, E. A. Bering, M. S. Brukardt, W. A. Rodriguez, F. R. Chang Díaz, J. P. Squire, V. T. Jacobson, A. V. Ilin, D. S. Winter, R. D. Bengtson, J. N. Gibson, T. W. Glover, D. G. Chavers, IAC-02-S.P.06, 53rd International Astronautical Congress / The World Space Congress, Houston, TX, 11p., 10-19 October, 2002.
  52. Long term changes in the electrical conductivity of the stratosphere, E. A. Bering, J. R. Benbrook, R. H. Holzworth, Eos Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract A11C-0112 , 2002.
  53. Polar Patrol Balloon (PPB) experiment in Antarctica during 2002-2003, H. Yamagishi, A. Kadokura, N. Sato, M. Ejiri, H. Hirosawa, T. Yamagami, S. Torii, F. Tohyama, M. Nakagawa, T. Okada, E. A. Bering III, Eos Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract SH21A-0519, 2002.
  54. Experimental research progress toward the VASIMR engine, J.P. Squire, F. R. Chang-Díaz, V. T. Jacobson, T. W. Glover, F. W. Baity, R. H. Goulding, R. D. Bengtson, E. A. Bering III, and K. A. Stokke, paper IEPC 03-286 presented at the 28th International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC 2003, Toulouse, France, 17-21 March 2003.
  55. Investigation of a light gas helicon plasma source for the VASIMR space propulsion system, J. P. Squire, F. R. Chang-Díaz, V. T. Jacobson, T. W. Glover, F. W. Baity, M. D. Carter, R. H. Goulding, R. D. Bengtson, and E. A. Bering, paper presented at the 15th Topical Conference on Radio Frequency Power in Plasmas, Moran, WY, May 19-21, 2003.
  56. The results from the 1999 Sprites Balloon Campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, in USNC/CNC/URSI North American Radio Science Meeting, 2003 Digest, edited by R. J. Marhefka, p. 539, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 2003.
  57. The use of RF waves in space propulsion systems, E. A. Bering, III, F. Chang-Díaz, and J. P. Squire, in USNC/CNC/URSI North American Radio Science Meeting, 2003 Digest, edited by R. J. Marhefka, p. 725, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 2003.
  58. The results from the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. M. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, in XXIII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, IUGG2003, June 30- July 11, 2003, Sapporo, Japan, Abstracts, vol. Week B, edited by Secretariat General of IUGG2003, p. B.195, Japan Marine Science and Technology Center, Yokosuka, Japan, 2003.
  59. MHD simulation of the exhaust plume in the VASIMR advanced propulsion concept, A. G. Tarditi, J. V. Shebalin, and E. A. Bering, in XXIII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, IUGG2003, June 30- July 11, 2003, Sapporo, Japan, Abstracts, vol. Week B, edited by Secretariat General of IUGG2003, p. B.240, Japan Marine Science and Technology Center, Yokosuka, Japan, 2003.
  60. Early Results of ICRH Experiments in VX-10, F. R. Chang-Díaz, J. P. Squire, A. V. Ilin, A. J. Petro, V. Jacobson, G. McCaskill, A. G. Tarditi, D. A. Winter, R. D. Bengtson, B. N. Breizman, F. W. Baity, M. D. Carter, P. Colestock, M. Light, E. A. Bering, T. W. Glover, C. Davis, and D. G. Chavers, Bulletin of the American Physical Society, DPP03, RP1.138, 2003.
  61. Multiple balloon campaign (MINIS) to study MeV electron precipitation, J.G. Sample, D. M. Smith, G. Parks, R. H. Holzworth, E. A. Bering, M. McCarthy, R. Millan, M. Kokorowski, B. Reddell, L. Huss, E. Lay, S. Bale, G. Delory, P. O'Brien, J. B. Blake, R. P. Lin, A. R. Hughes, P. Stoker, and H. Moraal, EOS, Trans. AGU, 84(46 Fall Meeting Supplement), Abstract SM41C-0582, 2003.
  62. The VASIMR engine: Project status and recent accomplishments, F. R. Chang-Díaz, J. P. Squire, T. Glover, A. J. Petro, E. A. Bering III, F. W. Baity Jr., R. H. Goulding, M. D. Carter, R. D. Bengtson, and B. N. Breizman, paper presented at the 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 5-8, 2004.
  63. Velocity phase space studies of ion dynamics in the VASIMR engine, E. A. Bering, III, F. R. Chang-Díaz, J. P. Squire, T. W. Glover, R. D. Bengtson, and M. Brukardt, paper presented at the 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 5-8, 2004.




Return to the Top of this Page.

Current Activities

Papers in Preparation

  1. Spatial structure of TCV-concurrent PC 3's, E.A. Bering, III, M. Brukardt, D.W. Shields, D. L. Murr, W. J. Hughes, M. J. Engebretson, (2004). (in preparation)
  2. TCV-concurrent Pc 3's detected by ground stations  and by Geotail spacecraft,  E.A. Bering, III, M. Brukardt, D.W. Shields, D. L. Murr, W. J. Hughes, M. J. Engebretson, (2004). (in preparation)
  3. The results from the 1999 sprites balloon campaign, E. A. Bering, III, L. Bhusal, J. R. Benbrook, J. A. Garrett, A. M. P. Jackson, E. M. Wescott, D. R. Moudry, D. D. Sentman, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, and W. A. Lyons, (2004). (in preparation)
  4. Velocity phase space studies of ion dynamics in the VASIMR engine, E. A. Bering, III, F. R. Chang-Díaz, J. P. Squire, T. W. Glover, R. D. Bengtson, and M. Brukardt, (2004). (in preparation)
     

Data Analysis

At present, there are several major analysis efforts underway. First, we have accumulated a massive amount of plasma data from the operation of the VASIMR experiment VX-10. Second, we are working on the dc electric field data obtained by our group during the 1991-1993 Polar Patrol Balloon Campaigns. Third, we are working on analysis of the data from our 1991-1993 atmospheric electricity program at South Pole. Fourth, we are completing publication of the results from the 1999 Sprites balloon campaign. Fifth, we are working on the dc electric field data obtained by our group during the 2003-2005 Polar Patrol Balloon and MINIS Campaigns.

A Survey of Simultaneous Pc 3 Micropulsations and High Latitude Impulsive Events for the Gem Boundary Layer Campaign

This project was a data analysis study that contributed to the Geospace Environment Modelling (GEM) boundary layer campaign. Stated in its most general terms, the major objective of this study was to increase our understanding of the possible signatures of magnetopause and magnetospheric boundary layer processes that are observed in the ionosphere and on the ground. The task of understanding the physical processes taking place at the magnetopause is vital to understanding the physics of the Earth's magnetosphere because the magnetopause is where energy and momentum from the solar wind enter the magnetosphere. It is well known that continuous spacecraft observations of the magnetopause are impossible. Thus, developing an understanding of how to observe boundary layer processes continuously from the ground is critical to achieving an understanding of long term time variations in boundary layer processes.

This study focused specifically on a search for simultaneous observations of two different geomagnetic perturbation phenomena whose possible sources may be either the magnetopause or the upstream solar wind. The perturbation phenomena that were studied are Pc 3 micropulsations and high latitude impulsive events, which are also known as traveling current vortices (TCV's). Pc 3 micropulsations are quasi-periodic perturbations of the Earth's magnetic field with periods between 10 and 45 s. One source of these pulsations is believed to be the upstream solar wind. High latitude impulsive events are large (100 nT), often monopolar pulsations of the geomagnetic field of about 10 min duration. Scientific interest in these class of pulsations was stimulated by the proposal that they constitute the ionospheric signature of sporadic reconnection at the magnetopause. This suggestion proved very controversial. Much recent work suggests that at least some of these events are internal responses to magnetopause processes that occurred on closed field lines. The study of TCV's has been the major focus of one of the working groups in the GEM Boundary Layer Campaign. The possible physical connection between some TCV's and Pc 3 pulsations has not been addressed. In part, this omission occurred because the first data sets used to study TCV's did not sample rapidly enough to detect TCV events.

In recent papers, the Principal Investigators of this project have observed a few cases of Pc 3 emissions that occurred simultaneously with TCV events. This work found that these PC 3's appeared to have the same horizontal speed as the TCV's. This observation suggests that these Pc 3's and TCV's were on the same field lines and may share a common source. However, this observation was initially an isolated one. It was not clear if Pc 3's occur regularly with TCV's or not. Anecdotal evidence suggests that they do not. However, a strong Pc3 event could easily obscure the underlying TCV to the point where existing search methods fail to identify the event. This study searched existing data bases for further examples of simultaneous Pc 3 - TCV observations by starting with lists of Pc 3 bursts. The data bases that were searched are the South Pole search coil magnetometer data, particularly during the period of the 1985-86 Balloon Campaign and the Magnetometer Array for Cusp and Cleft Studies (MACCS) data base. The results of this study included a statistical estimate of the rate of occurrence of joint Pc 3 bursts and high latitude impulsive events [Shields et al., 2003]. We have established the details of the relationship between the two types of activity. Some of the properties of the joint source will be discussed in two forthcoming papers.

 

Making Antarctic Atmospheric Electricity Data Available to Living With A Star and Climate Change Investigators

This project  will make the nearly three decades of Antarctic atmospheric electricity data available to more workers. Measurements of the vertical electric field and air-earth current density made at the Earth's surface in Antarctica have recently been shown to be of considerable interest to scientists interested in monitoring short-term Sun-Earth connections and long term climate change. Such measurements have been made off and on for more than three decades, primarily at Vostok and South Pole stations. There is no single place where all of these data can be obtained via the Internet in a contemporary format. This work will remedy this deficiency as much as possible. Data we know to be presently available include data from South Pole, 1982-86 and 1991-1993, and Vostok station, 1997-present. Data were taken at South Pole and Vostok in the 60's and 70's, but these may prove difficult to obtain in digital form. At present, only the University of Houston's 1991-1993 data are available on the Web. Unfortunately, they are stored on a server slated for retirement. Also, they are written VAX binary floating point, using the UCLA/Stanford/Michigan flatfile format, which is obscure to some users. We propose to combine and reformat the three available data sets plus any others we can obtain onto a newer server. We will use a more common and comprehensible format. Archival copies will be burned onto CD and/or DVD-ROM media. Finally we will register these data with the appropriate NASA data systems. When installed and operating, the data will be available at http://globalcircuit.phys.uh.edu or by anonymous ftp at ftp://globalcircuit.phys.uh.edu. 

Field Campaigns

Polar Patrol Balloon Studies of the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere above Antarctica

Polar Patrol Balloon (PPB) experiment in Antarctica

This project comprises a study of electrodynamic processes and auroral physics in the polar ionosphere. The scientific goals for this project are in the area of polar ionospheric electrodynamics and ionospheric convection. Specific topics of focus and interest include ULF waves and transient or impulsive phenomena, the mechanisms whereby high latitude phenomena and geomagnetic storms produce rapid electrodynamic responses at low latitudes, and a direct comparison of the balloon electric field data set with high latitude ionospheric potential distribution determined by other methods. The experiment involves three axis double probe electric field experiments that the Universities of Houston and Washington have been invited to provide to the Japanese Polar Patrol Balloon payloads that were launched from Syowa  Station, Antarctica in January 2003. The payloads also contained X ray detectors and science magnetometers with sufficient sensitivity to study geomagnetic micropulsations. The University of Washington's contribution consists of data analysis and interpretation. The University of Houston portion of the work included construction of the electric field instrumentation, leading the McMurdo part of the MINIS field operations in Antarctica, and data analysis and interpretation. The specific objectives of this proposal are: 1. Construct 4 three-axis double probe electric field detectors suitable for use on high altitude balloon payloads. 2. Integrate these experiments into the Polar Patrol Balloon payloads at ISAS near Tokyo. 3. Conduct testing and evaluation of the payloads. 4. At the end of year one and the start of year 2, conduct flight operations in Antarctica. 5. In years 2 and 3, reduce, analyze and interpret the data. 6. In year 3, participate in a data analysis workshop at NIPR in Tokyo.

Balloon Observations of MEV Precipitation (MINIS)

MINIature Spectrometer -- 2003 and 2005 Antarctic Balloon Campaigns

The MINIS project is an effort to understand the size, frequency and mechanisms of relativistic electron precipitation from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere. It is the next step in an ongoing effort. The MINIS approach differs in emphasis and method from its predecessor experiment (MAXIS). A different instrument package, which includes electric and magnetic field sensors, will look for electromagnetic indications of magnetospheric waves which might be responsible for scattering relativistic electrons out of their repetitive motions in the magnetosphere and down into Earth's atmosphere. The MINIS campaign will employ 4 balloons with staggered launches in order to extend the longitudinal range over which relativistic electron precipitation is observed. These balloons will be hand-launched by graduate students from the South African Antarctic station, SANAE, in January 2005. University of Houston is contributing electric field instrument components (Edgar Bering and Brandon Reddell). Both travelled to McMurdo to launch the first balloon.

Ground and Balloon-Borne Observations of Sprites and Jets

Instrument Development

Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory

The Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory is developing a new type of rocket technology, the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket. This plasma rocket drive is not powered by conventional chemical reactions as today's rockets are, but by electrical energy that heats the propellant. The propellant is a plasma that reaches extreme temperatures -- 50,000 K and above. Some scientists call this the fourth state of matter.

This new type of technology could dramatically shorten human transit times between planets (about 3 months to Mars). Not only planetary missions be fast, but the plasma drive will propell robotic cargo missions with very large payloads (more than 100 tons to Mars). Trip times and payloads are major concerns when using  conventional rockets. 

A fundamental problem in human and robotic planetary exploration is the intrinsic limitation of today's chemical rocket. After remarkable advances in the last 50 years, the engineering of these devices has matured to the point were further refinement brings only limited performance gains. While the chemical rocket will continue to provide excellent surface to orbit transportation, new technologies must be called upon to transport humans and cargo in the long journeys to the planets and ultimately the stars. Developing a high power electric propulsion system suitable for use as the sustainer engines for manned missions beyond Earth orbit is directly relevant to JSC's mission on enabling human space flight.

Recent photograph of the VX-10 VASIMR experiment at the Johnson Space Center.

Plasma rockets on the other hand, open up new and exciting possibilities for fast space transportation. Utilizing ionized gases accelerated by electric and magnetic fields, these devices expand the performance envelope of rocket propulsion far beyond the limits of the chemical rocket. With a properly shaped magnetic duct, the internal energy of plasma could be extracted in the form of rocket thrust. The duct becomes a magnetic nozzle, the magnetic equivalent of a conventional nozzle. Moreover, the non-physical nature of such a nozzle also suggests an inherent adaptability, which (in analogy to the transmission in an automobile) could continuously tailor the exhaust plume to respond to the conditions of flight. An adaptable nozzle better utilizes the available rocket power, leading to better performance. Although much earlier work identified this benefit, its implementation in chemical rockets with fixed material nozzles was impractical at the time.

Magnetic mirrors enable the heating of plasmas to tens of millions of degrees by providing an insulating magnetic field between the plasma and its nearest material surface. Because of their open topology, these devices are however inherently leaky, a feature that, while a detriment to controlled fusion, is actually useful in propulsion applications. The genesis of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) dates back to the late 1970's. The concept is a natural derivative of mirror machines, and their applications to fusion. 

At the present time, the VX-10 experimental device, shown in Figure 1, at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston is exploring the physics and engineering of the VASIMR. Similar experiments at the University of Texas at Austin and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory support this research in a collaborative effort involving 7 universities, private industry and two national laboratories.

The VASIMR consists of three main sections: a helicon plasma source, a radio frequency (RF) power booster, and a magnetic nozzle.  One key aspect of this concept is its electrode-less design, which makes it suitable for high power density and long component life by reducing plasma erosion and other materials complications. The magnetic field ties the three stages together and, through the magnet assemblies, transmits the exhaust reaction forces that ultimately propel the ship. While the three stages must work together, they have distinct functions. The helicon stage handles the main injection of propellant gas and its ionization, the RF booster acts as a power amplifier to further heat the plasma and the magnetic nozzle converts the energy of the fluid into directed flow. VASIMR operates typically with light gases, as the RF booster generally operates near the ion cyclotron resonance frequency; however, the helicon source works effectively with a wide range of gases and gas mixtures, suggesting additional operational modes yet to be explored.

 

VASIMR Plasma Diagnostics for the Demonstration of TRL-4

Characterization of the Exhaust Plume of the Variable Specific Impulse Plasma Rocket

Detection of High Voltage Charging and Defects in Power Transmission Systems

Watch this space! Cool new stuff appearing yearly!

Return to the Top of this Page.

Future Plans

Recently Submitted Proposals

Ideas We Would Like To Work On that We Haven't Yet Proposed or...

Balloon-Borne Studies of the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere Above Antarctica

Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study of High Latitude Ionospheric Convection

Coordinated Imaging Study of the X-Ray and Visible Aurora Borealis

Development of a Thermal Plasma Moment Analyzer Based on a Superconducting Line (2-D) Dipole Electromagnet

Global Foot-of-the-Field-Line Electrodynamics and Plasma Physics

Study of Atmospheric Electricity and Ionospheric Convection Above Antarctica

Snarkhunter 1, etc.

We hope that we will still be active enough to be part of the crowd proposing instruments for Snarkhunter 1, which, as you all no doubt already know, will be the name of the first unmanned probe of another solar system.

At this point, you can return to the Top of this Page, go to the UH Space Physics Group Web Site , the beginning of my personal Home Page or the midst of my vita . Questions about the data or possible collaborative papers may be addressed to me at <eabering@uh.edu> .

Edgar A. Bering, III , <eabering@uh.edu>

Copyright 1999, 2004, University of Houston
For problems or questions regarding this web contact eabering@uh.edu.
Last updated: Friday, April 23, 2004