First flight of ion-drive aircraft

[Mo]

First flight of ion-drive aircraft

 

[ROBERTSON]

For every action, there is an equal and oposite reaction,...

For every action, there is an equal and oposite reaction,...

COOL.

My understanding is that to go REALLY fast in outer space, we need to create an ion drive.

Again, with my very limited knowledge on the subject, essentially nil, we cannot go any faster than gases can be exhausted from rocket motors, which a have definite limit.
So current space vehicles cannot go any faster than the exhaust gases leaving the rockets nozzle.

Ion emission can have a much higher, an order of magnitude, than gases leaving a rocket motor, which means a potential velocity multiple times that of a rocket motor.

 

[Prick]

Hmmmmmm

 

[Goodfella]

Interesting.

 

[Leo]

:-Cool/"

 

[Boreythebald]

Canada Man should enjoy this one.

 

[papasmerf]

The voltage required concerns me.

The need for power packs to supply a sustained voltage for 12 hours or more. (commercial flights)
The ability to refuel in say an hour.

The effect lightning charged air would have on the ion Drive.

Just the first few questions that come to mind.

 

[ROBERTSON]

The voltage required concerns me.

The need for power packs to supply a sustained voltage for 12 hours or more. (commercial flights)
The ability to refuel in say an hour.

The effect lightning charged air would have on the ion Drive.

Just the first few questions that come to mind.

Good points, what is the voltage that they used in that video ?

If not kilo volts, I wouldn't think that would be insurmountable.

And yep, now that I think about it, static electricity could also be a major issue, unless the drive is not enclosed some how, even then, could possibly disrupt thrust, at the worst time.

 

[papasmerf]

Good points, what is the voltage that they used in that video ?

If not kilo volts, I wouldn't think that would be insurmountable.

And yep, now that I think about it, static electricity could also be a major issue, unless the drive is not enclosed some how, even then, could possibly disrupt thrust, at the worst time.

20,000 volts

 

[ROBERTSON]

20,000 volts

Considering that voltage, which today is not really that difficult to generate though, I would also think would be a problem in rain, or maybe even really high humidity like in fog/clouds.