More Reading

NASA
Ion Propulsion - 50 Years in the Making
NASA has been at the forefront of space exploration for several decades. This page chronicles how ion propulsion came about and the people who made it possible.

NASA
Ion Propulsion: Faster, Farther, Cheaper
Ion propulsion has become the method of choice for current NASA scientists. Read their explanations on how this technology works and where it can take the space program.

Boeing
XIPS: The Latest Thrust in Propulsion Technology
Perhaps one of the best uses of ion propulsion technology is in the use of near Earth spacecraft, such as satellites. Boeing explains why ion propulsion is preferable when compared to tradition chemical propellants.

The Future is Now
Ion propulsion systems have been theorized, proposed and finally developed. The first discussions of electric propulsion occurred almost a hundred years ago and the first mission to use an ion engine as the primary means of propulsion was in 1998 on Deep Space 1. The principle behind this kind of propulsion is one of repulsion. Atoms are stripped of an electron to create an ion which makes the atom electrically charged. The ion is then passed through a strong electric field with an opposite charge. This repels the ion out the back at extremely high speeds and provides the thrust for the spacecraft. Even though the thrust from this kind of engine is minimal, it consumes very little fuel and can run for much longer periods of time. The constant acceleration of the craft over a long amount of time pushes the spacecraft to speeds beyond the capability of today's liquid chemical rockets. For deep space missions, ion propulsion is the first step. It is an innovative idea that will allow us to reach nearby planets and possibly stars with unmanned spacecraft. Eventually, it may power a manned mission to Mars and is currently in use on satellites in orbit. For distances further than our own galaxy, the time it takes for the rocket to accelerate becomes a hindrance, and therefore would limit the destinations of manned missions. It is an exciting field of space exploration where the most exciting news of space travel will come from for the next few decades at least.

Ion Rockets in Action

Image courtesy of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil