Ion thruster - Wikipedia
An ion thruster, ion drive, or ion engine is a form of electric propulsion used for spacecraft propulsion. An ion thruster creates a cloud of positive ions from a neutral gas by ionizing it to extract some electrons from its atoms. The ions are then accelerated using electricity to …
A Remarkable New Thruster Could Achieve Escape Velocity—and ...
2024年5月3日 · Ion thrusters are the most common primary engine powering satellites through orbital maneuvers today. But to travel from low-Earth orbit (LEO) to farther orbits—or even the Moon—requires a...
MIT engineers fly first-ever plane with no moving parts
2018年11月21日 · The Economist highlights how MIT researchers have developed the first plane that is powered by an ion drive and has no moving parts. “The use of an ion drive means the MIT craft contains no moving propulsion parts in the form of propellers or …
Ion drive: The first flight - YouTube
Researchers from MIT have flown a plane without moving parts for the first time. It is powered by an ‘ion drive’ which uses high powered electrodes to ionise...
Ion thrusters are being designed for a wide variety of missions—from keeping communications satellites in the proper position (station-keeping) to pro-pelling spacecraft throughout our solar system.
Ion Thrusters – What They Are And How They Work
In spaceflight, an ion thruster or drive is a form of electric propulsion used by spacecraft in the vacuum of Space. It works by creating positively charged atoms or ions, which are accelerated at very high velocities through electrically charged grids at the back of the engine to produce thrust.
Ion Propulsion - NASA Science
Dawn's futuristic, hyper-efficient ion propulsion system allows Dawn to go into orbit around two different solar system bodies, a first for any spacecraft. Meeting the ambitious mission objectives would be impossible without the ion engines.
World's First 'Ion Drive' Plane with No Moving Parts Created by …
2018年11月22日 · World's First 'Ion Drive' Plane with No Moving Parts Created by MIT Scientists. Imagine an aircraft engine that has no moving parts, produces no harmful exhaust and makes no noise. That's what...
Gridded Ion Thrusters (NEXT-C) | Glenn Research Center | NASA
2017年1月25日 · In an ion thruster, ions are accelerated by electrostatic forces. The electric fields used for acceleration are generated by electrodes positioned at the downstream end of the thruster. Each set of electrodes, called ion optics or grids, contains thousands of …
Ion Propulsion: The Key to Deep Space Exploration
2015年11月3日 · The energy source for an ion drive has to come from somewhere else. This source can be electricity from solar cells, or electricity generated from decay heat from a nuclear material.