ion propulsion

American  

Or ionic propulsion

noun

1. Rocketry. a projected type of propulsion for vehicles in outer space, the exhaust consisting of positive ions and negative electrons repelled from the vehicle by electrostatic forces, resulting in a very high exhaust velocity.

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Example Sentences

The spacecraft’s ion propulsion system brakes and accelerates the spacecraft for these complex maneuvers.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 3, 2024

The long voyage of the BepiColombo mission to Mercury may get longer because of a drop in power supplied to its ion propulsion system.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 3, 2024

More and more satellites will be launched not with chemical thrusters to manoeuvre them in space but with ion propulsion units.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2012

Bud, who was familiar with ion propulsion for spaceships, wrinkled his brow in a puzzled frown.

From Tom Swift and the Electronic Hydrolung by Brey, Charles