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 ...

Ion engines won’t get you out of Earth’s gravity ... by electrostatic or electromagnetic means to generate thrust. Xenon, krypton, or argon are common choices for these thrusters, though ...

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 ...

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 idea behind electric propulsion is that an electric current ionizes (i.e. removes an electron from) atoms of a neutral gas, such as xenon or ... referred to as an ion engine.