Ion Engines
Ion engines are a type of propulsion system that use electric fields to ionize and accelerate propellant, typically xenon gas, to generate thrust. They are highly efficient and can operate for long periods of time, making them ideal for deep space missions. Ion engines work by ionizing the propellant gas, which creates a plasma. The plasma is then accelerated by an electric field and expelled out of the engine as exhaust, generating thrust. Although ion engines produce very low levels of thrust, they can operate continuously for months or even years, allowing spacecraft to reach high speeds over time. Ion engines have been used on a number of missions, including NASA's Dawn spacecraft, which used ion engines to explore the asteroid belt and the dwarf planet Ceres.
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