Mitchell Walker

Mitchell Walker is the John W. Young Chair and Professor at the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology. With over 20 years of expertise in electric propulsion and plasma physics, he leads the High-Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory (HPEPL) and directs the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute. His work spans theoretical and experimental research in spacecraft propulsion, space debris mitigation, and plasma diagnostics, with significant contributions to Hall thrusters, ion engines, and vacuum facility effects.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Michigan (2004)
• M.S.E., University of Michigan (2000)
• B.S.E., University of Michigan (1999)

Research Interests focus on electric propulsion systems, plasma physics, and hypersonic aerodynamics. His laboratory investigates Hall effect thrusters, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, and pulsed inductive thrusters, emphasizing plasma diagnostics, vacuum testing, and spacecraft integration challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• AIAA Fellow (2023)
• AIAA Sustained Service Award (2020)
• Georgia Power Professor of Excellence (2017)
• Provost's Emerging Leaders Program (Georgia Tech, 2017)
• Lawrence Sperry Award (2010)
• AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award (2006)

Students include Ph.D. researchers such as Chhavi (2024), Jean Luis Suazo Betancourt (2024), and David R. Jovel (2023), who have explored topics like magnetic field gradients, Laser Thomson scattering, and impedance characterization.

Lab & Collaborations: HPEPL operates one of academia’s largest vacuum test facilities, supporting partnerships with NASA, Lockheed Martin, and the Department of Defense. Recent projects include JANUS (Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute) and Helicon Plasma Source development.