Research by Michael West could help in the push to put a human being on Mars.

West, a physicist and aerospace engineer, is among scientists working on a revolutionary propulsion technology that could clear the way for a manned mission to the Red Planet.

The brainchild of Christine Charles, of the Space Plasma, Power & Propulsion Group at the ANU's Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, the helicon double layer thruster (HDLT) could also be used in spacecraft transporting astronauts to the moon or aboard Earth-orbiting satellites, which need the occasional nudge when they stray from their orbits.

The HDLT works by accelerating plasma - a gas of ionised, or electrically-charged, particles - across a potential difference, known as a "double layer", providing thrust. The plasma is generated by heating the gas, usually xenon, with radiowaves.

Although based on simple principles, the application of the technology is formidably complex, and West, who is undertaking a PhD in the College of Science, is studying the properties of the plasma produced by this prototype thruster. The aim is to validate the technology as a spacecraft propulsion system. He is conducting experiments on the HDLT prototype in a specially designed chamber that simulates the vacuum conditions of space.

West is investigating the double layer, which forms at the thruster's exit. The double layer accelerates a beam of ions to speeds of tens of kilometres a second. He is designing instrumentation to measure the thrust produced by the ion beam in work that will be an important milestone in developing the HDLT for use aboard a future spacecraft mission.

Before joining the ANU, West was a member of a team that investigated Mars-like sites in outback South Australia where a Mars simulation astronaut training facility is being established. In 2005, he was an intern at the SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute in California, where he analysed radio signals from Pioneer 10 - the first spacecraft to venture outside the solar system. He has also worked with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA researchers on projects related to Mars' moon Phobos.

A NSW finalist in the 2006 Young Australian of the Year Awards, West wants to see Australia step up its efforts in space science and technology.

"Space exploration is in keeping with the spirit of discovery, exploration and innovation that have been a feature of our nation's history," he says.

He says he chose to do his postgraduate work at the ANU because of the "fantastic research environment, facilities and opportunities available and the opportunity to work on an exciting and cutting edge project".