Eric Pencil

About

Eric Pencil is a space propulsion engineer whose career has centered on advancing electric and electromagnetic propulsion systems for NASA's most ambitious exploration goals. His research spans magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters, ion and Hall thruster systems, and broad in-space propulsion technology development, with a particular focus on enabling robotic science missions and deep-space human exploration. Pencil's most cited work, "High Power MPD Thruster Performance Measurements" (2004, 33 citations), demonstrated the viability of high-power electromagnetic thrusters as cost-effective propulsion solutions for cargo transport to the Moon and Mars, as well as crewed missions to the outer planets. His subsequent research contributed significantly to NASA's In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) project, which he helped guide from its 2001 inception through more than a decade of technology development and mission infusion. Papers spanning 2009 to 2014 document his sustained contributions to delivering flight-ready propulsion products for NASA's robotic science fleet. With nearly 100 cumulative citations across his body of work, Pencil has played a meaningful role in maturing electric propulsion from laboratory demonstration to mission-ready hardware, helping shape the technological foundation for the next generation of planetary exploration.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   High Power MPD Thruster Performance Measurements

   33 citations · 2004
2. 2
   The NASA In-Space Propulsion Technology project's current products and future directions

   15 citations · 2010
3. 3
   MW-Class Electric Propulsion System Designs for Mars Cargo Transport

   12 citations · 2011
4. 4
   The NASA In-Space Propulsion Technology Project, products, and mission applicability

   10 citations · 2009
5. 5
   In-Space Propulsion Technology products for NASA's future science and exploration missions

   8 citations · 2011
6. 6
   Overview of NASA's Electric Propulsion Development Activities for Robotic Science Missions

   6 citations · 2011
7. 7
   The status of spacecraft bus and platform technology development under the NASA ISPT program

   5 citations · 2014
8. 8
   In-Space Propulsion Technology products ready for infusion on NASA's future science missions

   4 citations · 2012
9. 9
   Status and Mission Applicability of NASA's In-Space Propulsion Technology Project

   3 citations · 2009

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links