3 ms·
This thing only needs energy to propel (if it actually works), while every other kind of viable thruster[1] needs some kind of "fuel" or propellant that is cons
by dom0 10y ago
This thing only needs energy to propel (if it actually works), while every other kind of viable thruster[1] needs some kind of "fuel" or propellant that is consumed, including hall thrusters, which limits the delta-v AKA change-of-speed you can achieve (more than energy availability).
[1] ie. nothing working with radiation pressure (solar sails, lasers etc)
- the8472 10y agoreaction mass
- dom0 10y agoGood to know. Wikipedia has a nice explanation of the concept: > Working mass, also referred to as reaction mass, is a mass against which a system operates in order to produce acceleration. In the case of a rocket, for example, the reaction mass is the fuel shot backwards to provide propulsion. All acceleration requires an exchange of momentum, which can be thought of as the "unit of movement". Momentum is related to mass and velocity, as given by the formula P = mv, where P is the momentum, m the mass, and v the velocity. The velocity of a body is easily changeable, but in most cases the mass is not, which makes it important.