Discover the future of propulsion with my DIY ionic thruster, powered by a high voltage generator. In this project, I explore the evolution of ionic thrust beyond jet turbines, pushing the limits of what’s possible. Watch as I navigate the challenges and breakthroughs, including a few shocking moments along the way!
source.image: Skill Make
An ion thruster creates a cloud of positive ions from a neutral gas by ionizing it to extract some electrons from its atoms. The ions are then accelerated using electricity to create thrust. Ion thrusters are categorized as either electrostatic or electromagnetic.
Ion thrusters are categorized as either electrostatic or electromagnetic. The main difference is the method for accelerating the ions.
- Electrostatic ion thrusters use the Coulomb force and accelerate the ions in the direction of the electric field.
- Electromagnetic ion thrusters use the Lorentz force to accelerate the ions in the direction perpendicular to the electric field.
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Ion thrusters use beams of ions to create thrust in accordance with momentum conservation. The method of accelerating the ions varies, but all designs take advantage of the charge/mass ratio of the ions. This ratio means that relatively small potential differences can create high exhaust velocities. This reduces the amount of reaction mass or propellant required, but increases the amount of specific power required compared to chemical rockets. Ion thrusters are therefore able to achieve high specific impulses.
