I wonder how much more effecient this engine is, exactly?

Space/Science » in reply to Interesting new Ion engine design

alcaray — 12/14/2005 6:22:52 PM (archived)

The SpaceDaily.com version of this story says: Calculations suggest that a helicon double layer thruster would take up a little more space than the main electric thruster on ESA's SMART-1 mission, yet it could potentially deliver many times more thrust at higher powers of up to 100 kW whilst giving a similar fuel efficiency. Does that mean it requires a more powerful source of electricity too?

The whole thread (14 posts)

Interesting new Ion engine design - Scott Evil - 12/14/2005 4:51:12 PM
- I wonder how much more effecient this engine is, exactly? - alcaray - 12/14/2005 6:22:52 PM
  - It sounds like the fuel efficiency (Isp) is roughly the same... - Larry J - 12/14/2005 7:10:06 PM
  - I would think so... - Scott Evil - 12/14/2005 7:05:27 PM
    - I wonder how it compares to VASIMR - Larry J - 12/14/2005 7:12:04 PM
      - re: I wonder how it compares to VASIMR - phil - 12/14/2005 8:09:29 PM
        
        I can't find much recent information about VASIMR - Larry J - 12/14/2005 8:30:41 PM
        
        You didn't look in the right places. - et - 12/14/2005 9:10:16 PM
        
        Are there any potential "on the ground" uses for the technolog? - Scott Evil - 12/14/2005 9:50:19 PM
        
        Coffee warmer? (n/t) - alcaray - 12/14/2005 11:40:23 PM
        
        If they could, I think my dentist office would be glad to buy a VASMR drill - Scott Evil - 12/15/2005 2:41:57 PM
        
        re: Are there any potential "on the ground" uses for the technolog? - et - 12/14/2005 11:03:24 PM
        
        it would be nice to see the technology develop without being 100% dependant of the Space program. - Scott Evil - 12/14/2005 11:15:37 PM
        
        re: it would be nice to see the technology develop without being 100% dependant of the Space program. - et - 12/15/2005 3:04:52 AM

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