adminION ENGINE
The ion engine is a type of plasma engine which generates thrust by accelerating ions typically xenon gas using electrical energy. The ions are accelerated through an electrostatic grid, which produces a high speed exhaust that generates thrust.
The components of an ion engine are; ionization chamber, accelerator grid, deceleration grid, neutralizer and power supply.
The ionization chamber is where the xenon gas is ionized creating plasma.
The accelerator grid is where the ions are accelerated producing a high speed exhaust.
The deceleration grid is where the ionized gas are decelerated producing a high speed exhaust in the opposite direction.
The neutralizer is where the ions are neutralized creating a beam of neutral atoms.
The power supply is where the electrical energy is generated typically using solar panels or a nuclear reactor.
The advantages of ion engines are as follows; ion engines have a high specific impulse which means that they can achieve high speeds using less propellant. Ion engines are highly efficient with efficiencies ranging from 30% to 50%. Ion engines are lighter or have low mass than other chemical propulsion engines. Ion engines have a high thrust to power ratio.
The disadvantages of ion engines are as follows; ion engines produce a low thrust which means they are not suitable for high thrust application. ion engines requires a high power source making them a challenge for high power applications. Ion engines are complex and very expensive than traditional chemical propulsion systems. Ion engines requires xenon gas which is expensive, exhaustible and difficult to handle.
Ion engines find widespread applications for space travel, station keeping and deep space mission and for satellite propulsion. Ion engines are currently being used by NASA “Deep space 1”, and NASA “DAWN” for deep space exploration.
Tne future of ion engines is predicated by the advancement and development in the following technologies; advanced ion engine design, high power ion engines and systems. Also increased private sector interest and investment will propel research and development in a diverse range of ion engine components that will improve the efficiencies and effectiveness of future ion engines in vast applications both on earth and in space.
SOURCES:
- Electric propulsion for spacecraft by Juan R. San-martin.
- Spacecraft propulsion by Charles D. Brown.
- Electric propulsion system by Richard G. Jahn and Eric Y. Choueri.
- Ion thrusters for space crafts by Richard G. Jahn..
- Ion engines for space propulsion by Ernst Eckhard and Holger Kersten.
