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Lecture |
Education
| 1999 | PhD (Numerical Plasmaphysics) | Vienna University of Technology, Austria |
| 1998 | MSS (Master of Space Studies) | International Space University, France |
| 1997 | Dipl.-Ing. (Engineering Physics) | Vienna University of Technology, Austria |
Awards
| 2001 | ARCAward (1st Prize, Science) - Most prestigeous Austrian applied R&D award |
| 2001, 2000 | 4 x US Air Force Windows-On-Science Award |
| 1999 | Austrian Research Community – International Communication Award |
Since October 2000, I'm a research scientist and project manager in the Space Propulsion group at ARC Seibersdorf research, Austria's largest research institution. Previous working experience include the advanced propulsion group at NASA JPL and the electric propulsion section at the European Space Agency ESA. At Seibersdorf research, we develop a unique micropropulsion thruster for satellites - called In-FEEP thruster (Field Emission Electric Propulsion). This engine produces a thrust of 1-100 µN, suitable for ultra-precise attitude and orbit control, required for next-generation science missions like telescope interferometers or gravitational wave observatories. The highly controllable thrust allows such satellite formations to detect e.g. planets outside of our solar system (DARWIN) or gravitational waves as predicted by Einstein more than 80 years ago (LISA). We cooperate and receive contracts from NASA, ESA and major industry such as ASTRIUM and ALENIA or research institutions such as the Max-Planck institute.
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In addition to research on thrusters, I'm also developing high-performance numerical plasmasimulations for electric propulsion thrusters. These simulations are used to predict the plasmaenviroment around satellites and assess possible contamination and lifetime degradation issues. The software will be used during my co-investigator assignment on the first European spacecraft going to the moon - SMART-1, to be launched 2003. Moreover, I'm working on several other advanced propulsion concepts including consultancy for the US Air Force on breakthrough propulsion physics (ultimate goal is to find a new type of engine that can enable interstellar travel).
My second interest apart from propulsion is research on gravitation. I'm specifically interested in so-called gravitomagnetism and any connection of gravitation with superconductivity, that could lead to new interactions which could be measured in a terrestrial laboratory. In this field I cooperate with ESA and the NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project. Recently, I finished a study for the European Space Agency together with O. Bertolami from the Instituto Superior Tecnico Lisbon, Portugal, titeled "Gravity Control and Possible Influence on Spacecraft Propulsion: A Scientific Study".
The advanced space propulsion systems lecture gives an up-to-date overview of everything advanced in propulsion. We assess traditional chemical rockets and look at advanced propellants and new nozzle design, but also at advanced drag control, nuclear ramjet propulsion or propellantless laser propulsion. During the lecture, rare NASA and US Air Force video material will be shown (Delta Clipper test flights, nuclear propulsion testing, etc.), several thrusters (such as a General Dynamics Bi-Propellant Rocket Engine or our In-FEEP thruster) and prototyps such as microfrabricated nozzles will be distributed for hands-on experience. Get involved in an absulute fascinating topic and let's discuss how Manned mars missions are possible or how we could reach other solarsystems!
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Selected Publications
Tajmar, M., "Advanced Space Propulsion Systems", Springer New York-Wien, 2002
Tajmar, M., and de Matos, C.J., "Gravitomagnetic Field of a Rotating Superconductor and Superfluid", submitted to Physica C (also Los Alamos gr-qc/0203033)
Tajmar, M., and Genovese, A., "Experimental Validation of a Mass Efficiency Model for an Indium Liquid Metal Ion Source", Applied Physics A, in Press (2002)
Genovese, A., Tajmar, M., Buldrini, N., and Steiger, W., "Extended Endurance Test of the Indium FEEP Microthruster", AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA 2002-3688, 2002 (also submitted to AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power)
Tajmar, M., "Survey on FEEP Neutralizer Options", AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA 2002-4243, 2002
Tajmar, M., Gonzalez, J., and Hilgers, A., "Modelling of Spacecraft-Environment Interactions on SMART-1", AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 38, No. 3, 2001, pp. 393-399 (also AIAA Paper 2000-3526)
de Matos, C.J., Tajmar, M.,"Gravitomagnetic Barnett Effect", Indian Journal of Physics, Vol. 75B, No. 5, 2001, pp. 459-461 (also Los Alamos gr-qc/0012091)
Genovese, A., Tajmar, M., and Steiger, W., "Indium FEEP Endurance Test: Preliminary Results", International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC-01- 289, 2001
Genovese, A., Steiger, W., and Tajmar, M., "Indium FEEP Microthruster: Experimental Characterization in the 1-100 µN Range", AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA 2001-3788, 2001
Tajmar, M., and Wang, J., "3D Numerical Simulation of Field-Emission-Electric-Propulsion Backflow Contamination", AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 38, No. 1, 2001, pp. 69-78