The fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft, which exists at the junction of traditional fluid dynamics, plasma physics, and aerospace engineering. The design and physics of electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic propulsion devices. Prerequisites: prior familiarity and experience with electromagnetism (Maxwell's equations, Ohm's law); fluid dynamics (fluid equations, choked flow, nozzles, Mach number); chemistry (stoichiometry, heat of formation, heat of reaction); and orbital dynamics (rocket equation, thrust, specific impulse, delta-v).
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
The fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft, which exists at the junction of traditional fluid dynamics, plasma physics, and aerospace engineering. The design and physics of electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic propulsion devices. Prerequisites: prior familiarity and experience with electromagnetism (Maxwell's equations, Ohm's law); fluid dynamics (fluid equations, choked flow, nozzles, Mach number); chemistry (stoichiometry, heat of formation, heat of reaction); and orbital dynamics (rocket equation, thrust, specific impulse, delta-v).
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.