SMART-1 spacecraft ion drive,diagram. SMART-1 is ESA's first lunar spacecraft. It is powered by a new type of engine called an ion drive. This propels the spacecraft on a jet of magnetically- accelerated xenon ions. The ion drive provides only gradual acceleration,but it is so light and efficient that its top speed is far greater than that of a conventional engine. SMART (Small Mission for Advanced Research in Technology) was launched on 27th September 2003. It will reach the moon in December 2004 | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Huart, J. / ESA |
Taille de l’image : | 3050 px × 2060 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
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