A continuation of the effort to resurface the concept of a technology that gathers gases in LEO to be used as propellant, thus reducing required take-off mass in many cases, has made significant progress. The team has deeply researched and compared two such concepts, known as PROFAC and PHARO, and attempted to inform peers within the aerospace community about them. A distinguished lecture by Dr. Alan Wilhite at WPI and a presentation delivered by the team at an AIAA YPSE Conference were met with an overwhelmingly positive response, demonstrating interest in the concept and its possible implications. Due to the impact that development of a PROFAC-like concept would have on the approach to and economy of human activity in space, it is important to seriously consider these technologies.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Peake, Natasha Vared

Subject

• Infrastructure
• Sustainability
• Industry
• Innovation

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031213-163940

Palabra Clave

• Science--Study and teaching
• Engineering--Study and teaching

Advisor

• Wilkes, John M.

Year

• 2013

Date created

• 2013-03-12

Ubicación

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright