ion thruster

China's first module of its upcoming space station makes use of ion drives, technology that could vastly cut down the time it takes to travel to Mars.

Electric Thrust

The country is betting big on electric spacecraft propulsion.

China's New Space Station Is Powered by Ion Thrusters

Scientists at the European Space Agency have created a tiny miniaturized ion thruster that's capable of keeping a satellite steady while in Earth's orbit.

So Smol

It may be small, but it's mighty enough to deorbit satellites.

This Mini Ion Thruster Is Adorably Tiny

The latest version of the ionocraft — a tiny robot that uses ion propulsion to fly — is slightly larger than its predecessor.

Baby Bots

This robot doesn't need wings or even a motor to fly.

See the Tiny Flying Robots That Could One Day Explore Space

Ion Thrusters

But it will still take seven years to get there.

The Most Powerful Ion Drive Ever is About to Blast a Spacecraft to Mercury

It could help us keep craft in space longer than we thought possible.

The European Space Agency's New Ion Thruster "Breathes" Air

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