Joseph Wang, an associate professor of aerospace and ocean engineering, is an expert in advanced plasma propulsion systems, spacecraft-environmental interactions, and computational physics.

He describes his work as interdisciplinary, concerning both spacecraft engineering and space science and combining theoretical studies, experimental studies, large-scale simulations, and modeling. Ongoing work in his group ranges from ion thruster plume interactions with spacecraft and spacecraft charging on lunar surface, to plasma micro-instabilities relevant to radiation belt remediation experiments.

One ongoing study in Wang's lab concerns charged dust interactions on lunar surface. Dust clouds suspended above the lunar surface were first observed by the Surveyor spacecraft and later by Apollo astronauts.

It is well documented that lunar dusts can cause a wide range of significant problems for both spacecraft and astronauts on extra-vehicular activities. Currently no technology exists that can effectively mitigate the effects of lunar dusts. Utilizing computer particle simulations and vacuum chamber experiments, Wang and his students are trying to understand the dynamic processes that levitate and transport lunar dust grains and develop a technology to actively control and mitigate the dust environment surrounding lunar spacecraft.

For more information, visit: www.space.vt.edu.