Ion propulsion system

Ion propulsion is a method of spacecraft propulsion that uses electric fields to accelerate ions (charged particles) and produce thrust. Unlike traditional chemical rockets that rely on burning fuel, ion engines expel ions at high speed, creating a gentle but continuous force. This allows spacecraft to achieve high speeds efficiently over long distances. While ion propulsion provides less immediate thrust compared to chemical rockets, it consumes far less fuel, making it ideal for deep-space missions where long-term acceleration is beneficial. It has been successfully used in missions like NASA's Deep Space 1 and the Dawn spacecraft.