Ion Propulsion
Ion propulsion is a method of spacecraft propulsion that uses beams of ions (charged particles) to generate thrust. It works by ionizing a propellant, such as xenon gas, and accelerating the ions using an electric field. The ions are then expelled out of the spacecraft at high speeds, creating thrust. Ion propulsion is highly efficient and can provide continuous low-thrust propulsion for long periods of time, making it ideal for deep space missions. However, it has a low thrust-to-weight ratio, which limits its use for launch and other high-thrust applications.
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