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 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

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

From Science Magazine

The rest of the way, Psyche will rely on ion propulsion – the gentle pressure of ionized xenon gas jetting out of a nozzle provides a continuous, reliable and low-cost way to propel spacecraft out into the solar system.

From Salon

Another idea is electric ion propulsion.

From BBC

Ion propulsion is already being used to power satellites in space.

From BBC