[RightWhale]

Although there is a lot of interest in new deep space motors, the ion engine has proved itself. This is also one of the projects of Robert Goddard: the technology is 70 years old and mature.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Very cool...

[jlogajan]

But why do ion engines run a long time? -- because they have to. They are so pathetically weak (though they do have a very high specific impulse -- i.e. exhaust velocity) that they take forever to dump a few grams of reaction mass.

A better engine would have a high specific impulse AND high rate mass ejection. Then instead of fractional g's acceleration, you could get a nice 1g accel for human artificial gravity. You could get to Mars in a few days. Sweet. :-)

[jimkress]

A sample of 1 has no statistical significance. The next engine they try could just as well be a failure. This is typical posturing silliness from the bureaneers at NASA.

[demlosers]

Cool but slow.

[techcor]

NASA (or somebody) should develop a rocket engine that uses lasers to accelerate the particles . It should be more powerful than the regular ion engines. Stanford has already developed a system to accelerate electrons using lasers. With newer "raman" lasers whole atoms should be able to be accelerated.

[null and void]

Coming to a planet near you: a xenon shortage...

[Fiddlstix]

Ping

[mhking]

Call me when they hit Warp 1.

[Squawk 8888]

Still no match for Infinite Improbability or Bistromathics technology.

[Squawk 8888]

Still no match for Infinite Improbability or Bistromathics technology.

[CanisMajor2002]

(Twin Ion Engine) Fighter

[KevinDavis]

Space Ping! This is the space ping list! Let me know if you want on or off this list!

[DannyTN]

Scottie! I need those engines now!!!

And when can you get the warp drives online?

[Captain Beyond]

bump