This needs to be updated to include more recent history. 

Ion propulsion research at CSU began in the mid-1960s when scientists Bill Michelson and Lionel Baldwin brought their NASA Glenn expertise to campus. With Virgil Sandborn, they built a large vacuum chamber to study ion thrusters and ion beam neutralization. A breakthrough came when they inserted a thoriated tungsten wire into the ion source, solving space-charge issues by releasing electrons more effectively.

In 1968, Dr. Paul J. Wilbur joined CSU and eventually led the Ion Propulsion Research Facility and Plasma Engineering Research Lab. Over the next four decades, the lab became internationally recognized for its work on broad beam ion sources for space and terrestrial applications.

Dr. John Williams, a former student of Dr. Wilbur, returned in 2002 to continue the legacy. He expanded the lab with new vacuum chambers and research spaces, focusing on erosion modeling of ion thruster components and plasma-material interactions. In 2004, he added the Advanced Sputtering Facility to study how spacecraft materials respond to low-energy xenon ions.

Beyond propulsion, CSU researchers explored ion-beam surface treatments to improve wear resistance and reduce friction in mechanical components. Facilities support testing in various environments, including atomic oxygen atmospheres simulating space.

The lab also investigates hollow cathode plasma contactors, essential for electrodynamic tethers and spacecraft charge control. These devices help convert orbital energy to electricity and prevent electrical interference in space missions.

Today, CSU remains a leader in electric propulsion, blending deep expertise with cutting-edge research.