ion engine
Charged particle propulsion
An ion engine is a type of spacecraft propulsion that generates thrust by accelerating charged particles (ions) and expelling them at high velocity.
Unlike chemical rockets that burn fuel for short, powerful bursts, ion engines produce gentle but continuous thrust over months or years, making them efficient for deep-space missions: The probe's ion engine slowly accelerated it toward the asteroid belt.
Divided by perpendicular lines
- electrostaticOf stationary electrical charges
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- cathodeElectrode current exits through
- anodeOxidation electrode
neutralizer · beam · xenon · argon · krypton · radiofrequency · miniaturization
Remote regions beyond planets
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- DawnProper name suggesting beginning
Hayabusa · Starlink · CubeSat · nanosatellite · geosynchronous · attitude control · NASA · JPL
Electrified matter state
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
- potential differenceElectrical pressure between points
- charged particlesAtoms with net electricity
Vehicle efficiency rating
- longevityDuration of existence
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
gridded
Divided by perpendicular lines
- electrostaticOf stationary electrical charges
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- cathodeElectrode current exits through
anode · neutralizer · beam · xenon · argon · krypton · radiofrequency · miniaturization
deep space
Remote regions beyond planets
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
Dawn · Hayabusa · Starlink · CubeSat · nanosatellite · geosynchronous · attitude control · NASA · JPL · ESA
plasma
Electrified matter state
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
- potential differenceElectrical pressure between points
- charged particlesAtoms with net electricity
fuel economy
Vehicle efficiency rating
- longevityDuration of existence
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- enginesV8, turbine, outboard motor, electric motor, inline-six
- Electric propulsion
- Rocket Enginesliquid rocket, rocket motor, solid rocket, chemical rocket, nozzle
- NASAApollo, Artemis, astronauts, Cape Canaveral, Hubble
- plasmaplasma, electrons, protons, charged particles, ionosphere
- plasma devicesplasma torch, plasma cutter, plasma globe, plasma ball, plasma lamp
ion enginechemical rocket
Thrust via burning propellants
solid rocket booster · booster rocket · combustion engine · rocket engine · main engine
ion, ions, ionic, ionize, ionized, ionizing, ionization, ionizer, anion