The new ionic engine of NASA breaks records on tests
X3 is the ionic engine developed in Michigan State University. Perhaps, it will help us to reach in the next 20 years Mars.
The main difference of X3 from chemical accelerators consists that for creation of pull in it not missile fuel, but plasma – a flow of ions is used. As a result the rocket with the ionic engine is capable to move 8 times quicker than the competitors (40 km/s against 5km/sec.). Such speed considerably will reduce time of flight to Mars. In addition, the ionic engines need much less fuel, than chemical that will allow to take more disposable load aboard the spaceship.
The last tests showed that X3 gives power more than 100 kW, generating on an output from a nozzle pull 5,4 newtons - it is the highest rate among the ionic accelerators existing today.
Low indices of pull remain the principal lack of the ionic engines still. It means that for achievement of an acceleration, commensurable with what is provided by chemical missile engines, they will need more time. Engineers try to overcome this problem in case of X3 due to construction change: instead of one engine will generate several flows of plasma.
Today scientists there is a task on creation powerful and at the same time relatively the compact engine. So far X3 can be moved only by means of the easel.
Excellent post.
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NASA = NOT.A.SPACE.AGENCY everything is fake
The weight I guess will predicate it being assembled in space, which means exciting news for International Space Station (perhaps they forgo decommissioning scheduled for 2020? ).