The vast majority of ion thrusters rely on gaseous propellants, however. A schematic of an gridded electrostatic ion thruster. Wear on the grids over time limits the life of these thrusters.

Electrospray (ES) thrusters generate low thrust via the electrostatic extraction of charged species from an electrified liquid. These systems are characterized by the propellant used and emission mode ...

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