Ion Thrusters


Ion thrusters are a type of propulsion system that use ionized particles to generate thrust. They work by accelerating ions (usually xenon) using an electric field and expelling them out of the back of the engine at high speeds. This creates a small but steady amount of thrust that can be sustained over long periods of time. Ion thrusters are highly efficient and can achieve very high speeds, making them ideal for long-distance space missions. However, they have a relatively low thrust-to-weight ratio, which limits their use for launch and landing. They are commonly used in satellites and deep space probes.


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