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John Brophy, Ion Propulsion System Manager, JPL

John Brophy, Ion Propulsion System Manager
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Kepler's mathematical model

Structure and Properties of Matter: Ion Propulsion

Module Overview

Welcome to the Structure and Properties of Matter: Ion Propulsion module. This standards aligned module is intended to engage students and the interested public in the propulsion technology that is necessary for Dawn to complete its mission. As students interact with this module, they will gain an understanding of :

  1. charges and relative charge
  2. momentum and frames of reference
  3. ionization and plasma
  4. how an ion propulsion system works
  5. experiment with designing an ion engine to determine optimal conditions using an interactive simulation.
This module is organized around a learning cycle and engages students in a number of experiences in order for the teacher to activate students’ prior knowledge, assess student conceptual understanding in order to inform instruction.
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Briefing
Teacher Guide
PDF 240 Kb

How Do We Get There?
Just like a mission briefing for the press, the purpose of this section of the module is to provide students with some background information about the Dawn mission and the need for a spacecraft with ion propulsion in order to meet mission objectives.

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Timeline (PDF 44k) Student Information Sheet
Ion Propulsion Story Mapping History Frame (PDF 44k) Student Activity
How Do We Get There? PowerPoint (PPT 6.4 Mb)

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Exploration
Teacher Guide
PDF 212 Kb
We Need a Push
The Exploration section of this Ion Propulsion Module focuses on the basic science necessary for understanding the design and operation of an ion propulsion engine.
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Charges (PDF 100k) Student Reading
Pushing with Plasma (PDF 144k) Student Reading
Attractive and Repulsive Forces (PDF 96k) Student Activity
Attractive and Repulsive Forces (PDF 44k) Student Reporting Sheet
Positive and Negative Charges Interactive Simulation

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Development
Teacher Guide
Pdf 136 Kb
Where Are We?
Students will develop an understanding that motion is relative by reading the text “Frames of Reference.” As a follow-up to the reading, engage students in a writing-to-learn strategy that can help students understand how motion depends on specific frames of reference, as they are asked to assume a specific frame of reference and describe motion in relation to multiple perspectives.

Dawn Spacecraft icon

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Frames of Reference (PDF 88k) Student Reading
Relative Motion RAFT Writing Activity (PDF 5k) Student Activity
Powered by the Sun (PDF 80k) Student Reading

Interaction Synthesis
Teacher Guide
Pdf 238 Kb

Getting Charged Up
In the Interaction/Synthesis section of the Ion Propulsion Module, students will follow a single xenon atom as it travels through an ion propulsion engine, putting together the scientific concepts that play a part in moving the Dawn spacecraft.

Dawn Spacecraft icon

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A Trip Through An Ion Propulsion Engine (PDF 32k) Student Reading
The Trip of One Xenon Atom Through an Ion Engine (PPT 3 Mb) PowerPoint

Assessment
Teacher Guide
PDF 164 Kb
Design an Ion Engine
Students apply the background information from this module to determine what Plate Location settings and what Plate Charge produces the most thrust for the engine.

Dawn Spacecraft icon

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Ion Propulsion Engine Simulation (PDF 76k), Student Activity and Report Sheet

Developed by Educators at McREL

Primary Authors
Dr. Donna Bogner, McREL
Dr. B.J. McCormick, McREL

Interactive Simulation
Dr. John Brophy, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Cal Tech.
V. Art Hammond, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Cal Tech.

Contributing Writers
John Ristvey, McREL
Deb Aruca, McREL

Contributors/Reviewers
Dr. Marc Rayman, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Cal Tech.
Joe Wise, New Roads School, Center for Effective Learning

Layout/Graphics
Judy Counley, McREL
Lisa Maxfield, McREL

Pilot Test Teacher
Rick Peterson, Central High School, Grand Junction, CO

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