Mercury ion thruster

A Mercury ion thruster is a type of space propulsion system that uses ions—charged particles—to generate thrust. It works by heating mercury, which turns into plasma (a superhot, ionized state), then ionizing it further. Electric fields accelerate these mercury ions out of the thruster at high speeds, creating a gentle but continuous push that moves spacecraft efficiently. Because mercury is dense and can produce a lot of ions with low power, the thruster provides long-lasting, efficient propulsion ideal for deep-space missions, with minimal fuel consumption compared to traditional chemical engines.