6 Responses

1. There are few alternatives for exploring deep space. An ION engine can generate enough thrust to keep the spacecraft moving and moving faster and it takes very little power to run it.

   The much maligned Ionic Breeze air purifier would provide sufficient power for a pretty good sized spaceship and can run in the vacuum of space for years.

2. Here’s info on the ion drive and other considered methods of propultion.

3. Ion propulsion is not of value for missions that require high acceleration, and it often will not be worthwhile for missions that can be done quickly using conventional propulsion systems (such as missions to the moon). But for a wide variety of missions with high energy requirements (such as missions to asteroids and comets, Mercury and the inner solar system, and some to the outer solar system), the low but steady acceleration of ion propulsion wins out over the less efficient bursts from chemical alternatives. The Deep space 1 probe used one with great success.

   Deep Space 1 carried about 81.5 kilograms of xenon propellant, and it took about 20 months of thrusting to use it all. It increased the speed of the spacecraft by about 4.5 kilometers per second, or about 10,000 miles per hour. and it took 2100KW to power the engine.

4. The ion drive engine has been used in the space craft Deep Space 1. It has out performed it design parameters.

   An ion thruster (or ion drive) is one of several types of spacecraft propulsion, specifically electric propulsion. It uses beams of ions — electrically charged atoms or molecules — for propulsion. The precise method for accelerating the ions may vary, but all designs take advantage of the charge-to-mass ratio of ions to accelerate them to very high velocities using a high electric field. Ion thrusters are therefore able to achieve high specific impulse, reducing the amount of reaction mass required, but increasing the amount of power required compared to chemical rockets. Ion thrusters can deliver one order of magnitude greater propellant efficiency than traditional liquid fuel rocket engines, but are constrained to very low accelerations by the power/weight ratios of available power systems.

   The principles of Ion thrusters go back to the concepts developed by the German/Austrian physicist Hermann Oberth which were published in his famous 1929 work “Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen” (The rocket to planetary space).

   The first ion thrusters, known as Kaufman-type ion thrusters, were developed by Harold R. Kaufman, working for NASA in the 1960s, and were based on the Duoplasmatron.

   Ion engines have enjoyed possibly the most “Hollywood press” of electric propulsion systems, most notably appearing as the propulsion system of the TIE fighters in the Star Wars universe, among other works. However, the maneuvering capabilities displayed in those fictional works are well beyond current ion engine technology in the real world, as these engines typically exhibit low thrust-to-weight ratios and therefore provide low amounts of acceleration to the vehicle. Ion thrusters are operated over several hours to months to provide the desired delta-V to compensate for this.

   If your interested in a faster space craft propulsion system see M2P2 — mini-magnetospheric plasma propulsion

5. How about just imagine some form of propulsion and POOF, there it is?

   Ion propulsion is just now showing real promise with Deep Space 1. We haven’t even been able to implement it on another practical mission, yet. We have no need, as yet, to shoot off into space at fractions of light-speed either — not just yet. And then there’s the money involved to develop it. Give the technology a chance to catch up with your rampant imagination.

6. ET says using a Photon expansion chambers will greatly improve human kinds attempt at deep space travel. Plutonium and other heavy water mass immersions will enable astronauts to navigate the void without being affected by gamma radiation of other Solar systems. It is necessary that you develop your means of escape from this galaxy because Wormwood is an inevitable fact. If you have knowledge of Wormwood, the only conclusion is, Kaboom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!