This image shows the exhaust produced by a 6 kW Hall thruster at the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Unlike rockets that rely on chemical propulsion, the ion thrusters use electricity to create an electromagnetic field to produce thrust. As the ionised particles leave the aircraft, they generate a force in the reverse direction. Photo: Nasa
Electric vehicles in deep space: China hails its new ion thruster for rockets as the world’s best
State media says new-generation propulsion device will improve the mobility and lifespan of China’s space assets, adds that Hall-effect thruster has already been delivered to Chinese customers in the industry
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China science
This image shows the exhaust produced by a 6 kW Hall thruster at the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Unlike rockets that rely on chemical propulsion, the ion thrusters use electricity to create an electromagnetic field to produce thrust. As the ionised particles leave the aircraft, they generate a force in the reverse direction. Photo: Nasa