4 ms·
This seems basically the same as an ion engine without the need to BYO ions, relying on the existing ion/electron mix in plasma being sufficient and suitable. W
by dojomouse 8y ago
This seems basically the same as an ion engine without the need to BYO ions, relying on the existing ion/electron mix in plasma being sufficient and suitable. Which makes it seem fairly credible. Potential for much higher efficiency than ion engines too if a plentiful supply meant you could sacrifice thrust/ion.
Cathode Ray tube comparison below isn't entirely valid, as the goal of a CRT isn't to generate net thrust.
- dnautics 8y agoI would say that a good comparison (of course the math is different, since one is monopole-monopole and another is monopole-dipole) would be saying it's like a continuous gravitational slingshot except with solar wind ions and electricity. With a gravitational slingshot, you use gravity to steal kinetic energy from the larger body (usually the planet doesn't notice); with this you use an electric field to steal kinetic energy from the passing wind.
- yellowapple 8y agoIf CRTs did generate thrust, though, it would give an entirely new meaning to "our TVs are flying off the shelves!".