An ion-engine is the cutting edge for atmospheric air-breathing engines. The technology depends on ionizing and neutralizing atmospheric air particles which create thrust. This unique possibility makes it an ideal choice for very-low-orbit satellites. Very- low-orbit satellite capabilities have benefits such as higher resolution for images, weight reduction, and lower cost for payloads.
Researchers at George Washington University have developed an air-breathing plasma thruster, which ionizes and neutralizes the air particles at the same instant. The present state of the technology, ion-engine technology, requires a separate neutralizer to achieve thrust, but the new idea combines the process and eliminates the need for a neutralizer. This reduction in components reduces the payload for low orbit satellites as well as reduces the complexity of the thruster.
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