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Can ion thrusters be used on the moon?
ESA’s SMART-1, due to end its mission on 3 September, has ably demonstrated that for interplanetary missions, replacing or augmenting chemical propulsion by using electric thrusters for the primary propulsion system can bring numerous benefits.
Why would ion thrusters be unsuitable for rockets launched from Earth?
The exhaust from an ion engine travels up to 10 times faster than does the exhaust from a chemical engine, generating far more thrust per pound of propellant. This makes ion propulsion unsuitable for lifting spacecraft off the surface of Earth.
Do ion thrusters need fuel?
Conventional chemical rockets burn a fuel with an oxidizer to make a gas propellant. Large amounts of the gas push out at relatively low speeds to propel the spacecraft. Modern ion thrusters use inert gases for propellant, so there is no risk of the explosions associated with chemical propulsion.
What fuel do ion thrusters use space engineers?
There are three types of thrusters: Atmospheric thrusters which are electrically powered and only work in the atmosphere of a planet, Ion-based thrusters that use electricity and work in vacuum, and powerful Hydrogen thrusters which require Hydrogen as a fuel.
Are hydrogen thrusters better than ion thrusters?
Ion-based thrusters are for ships that are primarily in space, such as asteroid mining vessels. They lose a lot of efficiency in atmospheres, so keep them amongst the stars. They require electricity only when active. Hydrogen thrusters are good for both atmospheres and space travel and are by far the strongest.
Why do we need 3 ion thrusters for a spacecraft?
This also allows the attitude control system to use the ion thrusters to help control spacecraft attitude. Two ion propulsion engines are required to provide enough thruster lifetime to complete the mission, and the third engine serves as a spare. Since launch the spacecraft has used each of the three ion engines, operating them one at a time.
How many ion engines does it take to power a spacecraft?
Two ion propulsion engines are required to provide enough thruster lifetime to complete the mission, and the third engine serves as a spare. Since launch the spacecraft has used each of the three ion engines, operating them one at a time.
Why do my ion thrusters have decreased efficiency on Moon?
Moon has no atmosphere. So why do my Ion Thrusters have decreased efficiency there? They are not affected by gravity but atmosphere.. Well, since they’re not affected by gravity, there must be atmosphere on the moon. This can be confirmed by taking off your astronaut’s helmet.
How does the Ion thrust unit work on Dawn?
Each of Dawn’s three 30-centimeter-diameter (12- inch) ion thrust units is movable in two axes to allow for migration of the spacecraft’s center of mass during the mission. This also allows the attitude control system to use the ion thrusters to help control spacecraft attitude.