Weighs 500lbs and only generates 5 Newton’s of thrust.
They’re a long ways off...
It may not sound like much thrust, but when it is a continuous thrust, it adds up fairly quickly. Also, the advantage ov an ion drive is that you can use solar panels as your fuel source. You don't need to drag tons of chemical propellent with you.
It generated 5.4 Newtons of thrust,
I have no idea how much a Newton is, do you know how much that would be in terms of horse power? I am old school.
“Weighs 500lbs and only generates 5 Newton’s of thrust.”
Calculate the speed if you apply 5 Newton’s to 1000 kg for 7 days continuously.
One Newton = 1 kg * meter / second squared
In a gravity-free-vacuum environment like space, the mass is almost irrelevant. Even a tiny push will move a mountain, and it will not stop (virtually no friction). Give it a tiny push every second (like from an engine that is constantly operating), for days and weeks and months and years, and the speed will be ever-increasing (constant acceleration instead of constant speed).
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Actually, it.s 5.4 Newtons which equals a whole 1.214 lbf...
Somehow, for 102 kW, with electrical current of up to 260 amperes, a little over a pound of thrust doesn't seem too exciting.
Of course, I guess one has to ask, "What is the reaction mass consumption at that 1.214 lbf level?