One of the most exciting new applications is in xenon-ion propulsion engines for space travel. Onboard NASA's Dawn spacecraft, launched in 2007 to study distant asteroids Vesta and Ceres ...

Sort of. Spacecraft carry around their own ion fuel in the form of xenon (although some older engines used mercury). Xenon is good because it is relatively heavy which provides more thrust and is ...

The magnetic field then accelerates the xenon ions out of the propulsion jet. The resulting thrust is no greater than the pressure of a piece of paper on the outstretched palm of the hand – tiny in ...

Electric propulsion is being increasingly used on space missions and could ultimately replace thrusters using chemical ...