Novel Thruster, African-American Engineers, & Graduation Regalia

The Statesman newspaper reported on University of Michigan professor of engineering Alec D. Gallimore, Ph.D. (NY G ’86), and his “prototype of a thruster that may form the basis for a propulsion system to take a manned spacecraft to Mars in the 2020s.” According to the article, NASA has funded a spaceflight propulsion system to be built around a tabletop-sized thruster developed by Dr. Gallimore.

Dr. Gallimore’s thruster is called X3 and his team will receive $1 million of the award for work on the thruster. “If we do our jobs over the next three years, we can deliver both projects. If I had to predict, I would say this thruster would be the basis for sending humans to Mars,” Dr. Gallimore added.

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In conjunction with Black History Month, observed annually each February, the International Society of Automation (ISA) is honoring the remarkable contributions of nine African-American automation professionals and engineers. Two of whom are Tau Bates, including: (See the full list here.)

Aprille Ericsson-Jackson, Ph.D. (DC A ’86) She was the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University and the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate degree at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She’s currently a senior deputy instrument manager at NASA’s Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite program.

Jesse E. Russell (DC A ’72) – Has helped to shape the wireless communications industry direction through his leadership and perspectives for standards, technologies as well as new wireless service concepts. The former Chief Wireless Architect at AT&T Bell Labs, he holds more than 75 patents in digital cellular technologies, dual-mode digital cellular phones and digital software radio, graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, and was initiated as an eminent engineer at Howard University (DC) in 1982.

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Get ready for spring graduation 2016 with your Tau Beta Pi graduation regalia! There are limited quantities available of a traditional orange and white honor cord with a fob and bent charm. In addition, the Association is selling engineer orange tassels, while supplies last. The standard honor cord and stole are still available.

Visit the Association’s online store for pricing and information. Graduation bundles will be sold for individual orders, which will include an honor cord, stole, and tassel.

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