Space propulsion breakthrough: new spacecraft ion engine tested

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DS4G thruster firing during tests in the ESTEC Electric Propulsion facility (CORONA vacuum chamber) Credits: ESA
DS4G thruster firing during tests in the ESTEC Electric Propulsion facility (CORONA vacuum chamber) Credits: ESA

The European Space Agency and the Australian National University have successfully tested a new design of spacecraft ion engine that dramatically improves performance over present thrusters and marks a major step forward in space propulsion capability.


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