PhD in Aerospace Engineering - Space Systems in Ann Arbor United States | University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Our doctoral program typically demands a five-year dedication, involving coursework, preliminary written and research examinations, followed by original research supervised by faculty advisors. This journey concludes with an oral defense and a published dissertation. Specialized faculty in Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Dynamics, and Controls focus on spacecraft development and advanced subsystems like propulsion and control mechanisms. Research encompasses both experimental and computational work, particularly in spacecraft electric propulsion (EP) systems including Hall thrusters. At Michigan, researchers are pioneering miniaturized 10-W EP systems for cubesat applications and powerful 200-kW thrusters capable of enabling crewed missions to Mars and asteroids. Currently, Earth-orbiting cubesats are employed to study atmospheric plasmas that interfere with satellite communications.