Ion drive -WOW!
 

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/0...nch/index.html

Ion drive
On its way to the moon SMART's primary objective is to test an innovative propulsion system known as an ion drive.

The system uses solar power to produce a beam of charged xenon atoms, or ions, which are expelled from the back of the probe producing thrust that drives the spacecraft forward.

The command center that controls the start and flight of the Ariane 5 rocket is located in my hometown. :winkwink:

and where would that be? France?

The ESOC in Germany

3,911,671 miles per U.S. gallon

Do you realize how significant this is? If this works then we can send people to mars.

One of the major problems with doing that today with combustion technology is that we cannot send enough fuel with them to get them home.

We can get them there but not back. So it would be a suicide mission.

But with this Ion stuff we can now do it. I hope it works.

Last I read we were looking at water sources there that could be used to somehow propel a ship. I have not heard about this Ion drive until today.



Is this mission a multinational effort? Did the US have any part in it?

The Ion drive has been around for quite some time.
The drive has VERY little thrust power. On a trip to mars is would basically spend half the journey speeding up then the last half slowing down.

They are used now to keep geo synchronous satellites in orbit and it was used in one project to get a payload to mars.
The Ion engine will never be used to power rockets out of the atmosphere.
Want to see something crazy yet possible check this out.

http://www.isr.us/SEHome.asp?m=1

haha a 62,000 mile belt. That's crazy.
(In 15 years when it's a reality, feel free to dig this thread up and taunt me)