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.

To understand why, you need to know two things: how ion drive works and how the engines differ when using them in an atmosphere. Let’s start with a space-based ion engine, a topic we’ve ...

The impulse generated is not as immediately forceful as a chemical rocket, but ion engines require less fuel and therefore less mass, which reduces launch costs, and ion engines don't use up all ...

A UK startup has unveiled a new fusion-powered space rocket concept called Sunbird for interplanetary travel to Mars — and ...

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 ...

We are at a critical time and supporting climate journalism is more important than ever. Science News and our parent organization, the Society for Science, need your help to strengthen ...

Advanced propulsion technologies, such as ion engines and nuclear thermal rockets, are also being explored for future space exploration missions.

Such a long runtime period is due to the long operating time of the propulsion system in space. An ion engine has to fire for a long time to fulfill a required mission because of its small thrust.

A project to design an engine that can bring a spacecraft to the Solar System ... is developing a high-power ion thruster," he said. "It will require a nuclear source of power and will be ...