Air travel will change forever ... Let’s start with a space-based ion engine, a topic we’ve covered before. Atoms are turned into ions which are accelerated electrically.

Let’s take a look at how ion thrusters work, and some of their interesting applications in the world of spacecraft! Chemical rocket engines provide huge thrust but are thirsty when it comes to fuel.

Unlike most interplanetary probes, Dawn is not propelled by a chemical rocket engine, but by a solar-electric ion propulsion system, particularly suitable for long-distance flights. This innovative ...

Hence an electric propulsion system is also referred to as an ion engine. According to Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The plume of ions ...

Scientists have figured out how to create a new ion engine that uses 100 million times less fuel than a chemical rocket. Though the device is a lot less powerful, it could some day be a cost ...

Ion thrusters are the most common primary engine powering satellites through orbital maneuvers today. But to travel from ...

Hence an electric propulsion system is also referred to as an ion engine. The energy for the electromagnetic fields is often provided by solar arrays, and hence the technology is sometimes ...