ion thruster
Spacecraft electric engine
An ion thruster is a spacecraft propulsion system that generates thrust by accelerating ions through an electric field.
Unlike chemical rockets that burn fuel explosively, ion thrusters produce gentle but continuous acceleration, making them efficient for long-duration space missions: The probe's ion thrusters will operate for years as it travels to the outer planets.
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- xenonElement fifty-four, noble gas
- gentle pushLight urging contact
electric · satellite · exhaust · NASA · deep space · solar panels · acceleration · fuel · rocket · interplanetary · Dawn · vacuum · science fiction · nozzle · charged particles · beam · efficient · probe
ion thrusterchemical rocket
Thrust via burning propellants
solid rocket booster · combustion engine · solar sail · rocket engine
ion thrustersolid rocket booster
Detachable spacecraft launch engine
chemical rocket · booster rocket · main engine · afterburner · turbojet
ion thrustersteam engine
Thermal vapor motor
sail · oar · paddle · horse-drawn vehicle · muscle power
ion, ions, ionic, ionize, ionized, ionizing, ionization, ionizer, anion