Doctor Trinh Huu Phuoc, an American scientist of Vietnamese origin, has been selected by NASA to lead a team of engineers in the development of a propulsion system for future robotic spacecraft that could be used to explore the moon and other planets.

According to the Thanh Nien (Young People) Daily, NASA has recently started to conduct research on new devices in preparation for its new lunar expedition following the last one in 1972.

NASA said the testing of the two thrusters, designed by Dr. Phuoc and his team, has fully accomplished its objectives, including evaluating the stability of the combustion, engine efficiency and the thrusters ability to carry out the mission over a long period of time.

Dr Phuoc, 48, has devoted his career to bringing people’s dreams of exploring space to reality.

He left Vietnam ’s southern province of Bac Lieu in 1979 at the age of 16 to become a student of the department of aerospace technology at the Missouri-Rolla University and graduated in 1985.

In 1987, he received a master’s degree and started to work as a rocket propulsion components analyst and then became a doctor of mechanics in 2004. His accumulated technical knowledge over the years has provided him with a good foundation for his current position.

In May this year, Phuoc was decorated by NASA for his outstanding contributions for rocket science and technical applications for space shuttles.

His wife, Vo Thi Hong Diep, is also a technician working for NASA./.