Timothy R. Sarver-Verhey

About

Timothy R. Sarver-Verhey is a leading aerospace engineer specializing in advanced electric propulsion systems, with a primary focus on high-power Hall thrusters and hollow cathode technologies for deep-space missions. His most influential work centers on the development of the 12.5 kW Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS), a critical propulsion system designed for NASA's Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission. His 2016 paper on HERMeS, which has garnered 47 citations, details the thruster’s design and performance, demonstrating how magnetic shielding significantly extends operational life by reducing erosion. Complementing this, his research on hollow cathode assemblies—evaluating barium oxide-impregnated and lanthanum hexaboride emitters through wear-testing and plasma modeling—has been essential for ensuring reliable thruster ignition and operation. With a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of in-space propulsion, Sarver-Verhey’s contributions have directly enabled next-generation NASA missions, making him a pivotal figure in the field of electric propulsion and spacecraft engineering.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The 12.5 kW Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) for the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission

   47 citations · 2016
2. 2
   Hollow Cathode Assembly Development for the HERMeS Hall Thruster

   8 citations · 2016

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links