Ion engine thruster mechanism, illustration. The glow at right is ionized atoms of the propellant (such as the noble gas xenon) emerging from the engine to provide thrust. The non-ionised atoms (green) are at left. The ions (blue) are at right. The ionisation is occurring at centre as electrons (yellow) impact the atoms after emerging from a cathode tube (red). Magnetic fields increase the acceleration of the particles. Designed for use in spacecraft, the thrust is very small but it provides more thrust for weight of fuel than chemical rockets. Ion propulsion was first proposed in the 1950s, but was not used until the 1990s. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Lunau, Claus |
Taille de l’image : | 5038 px × 3473 px |
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Property Release : | Non requis |
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