- #1
TrevorRyan
- 15
- 0
Thanks, just curious ever since I watched Prometheus.
F14fan said:I did some graduate work in collaboration with the Air force concerning the use of Ion plasma thrusters for satellites.
RTGs are pretty reliable and long-lasting, and might not go out of style until something "better" comes along. The Soviets used RTGs to power remote light-houses, etc, though there have been radiation-poisoning incidents when scrap-hunters have dismantled the equipment and the power-supplies for recyclable metals.BobG said:But nuclear energy at least provides a lot of energy for the amount of mass you're carrying around.
Ion Plasma thrusters use a stream of charged particles, or ions, to propel a spacecraft forward. The ions are accelerated by an electric field and then expelled at high speeds through a nozzle, creating thrust.
Ion Plasma thrusters are more efficient and have a higher specific impulse compared to traditional chemical rockets. This means they can produce more thrust for a longer period of time using less fuel, making them ideal for long-distance missions.
Ion Plasma thrusters are already being used on some spacecraft, such as NASA's Dawn mission. However, their use on larger, manned spacecraft is still in the research and development stage. It could be several decades before they become a standard propulsion system for space ships.
One of the main challenges with Ion Plasma thrusters is their low thrust, which makes them unsuitable for launching a spacecraft from Earth's surface. They also require a large power source, which can be a limitation for smaller spacecraft.
While Ion Plasma thrusters can provide a constant level of thrust for a longer period of time, they are not capable of producing the high speeds needed for interstellar travel. They can, however, significantly reduce travel time for long-distance missions within our solar system.