Ion
In space and astronautical engineering, an ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. Ions play a crucial role in space propulsion systems, such as ion thrusters, which use electric fields to accelerate ions to high speeds and generate thrust. Ion engines are highly efficient and can provide continuous thrust for long periods of time, making them ideal for deep space missions. Ions are also important in space weather and the study of the Earth's ionosphere, which is the ionized part of the Earth's upper atmosphere that reflects radio waves and affects satellite communications. In addition, ions are used in mass spectrometry, a technique for analyzing the chemical composition of samples, which is used in space exploration to identify the composition of planetary surfaces and atmospheres.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Mission Duration: Mission duration refers to the length of time a spacecraft or mission lasts from launch to completion of its objectives. The duration of a mission can vary greatly depending on the goals of the mission, the type of spacecraft used, and the ... Read More >>
- Chemicals: Chemicals refer to any substance with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, chemicals play a crucial role in the propulsion systems of spac ... Read More >>
- Safety: Safety in space and astronautical engineering refers to the measures taken to ensure the protection of human life, spacecraft, and equipment during all phases of a mission. This includes the design and testing of reliable and robust systems ... Read More >>
Top News
Why you shouldn't wait for the Geminid meteor shower peak this year...
The Geminid meteor shower this year is set to peak at almost the same time as December's full moon, which could make for challenging viewing conditions....
News Source: CBS News on 2024-12-06
Crime-solving techniques may have solved medieval art mystery...
A court handwriting expert may have helped reveal true identity of a leading Byzantine painter....
News Source: CBS News on 2024-12-05
Experts believe study of 700-year-old handwriting unveils leading Byzantine pain...
Crime-solving techniques applied to a medieval illuminated manuscript in Paris may have solved a centuries-old puzzle: The true identity of a leading Byzantine painter who injected a human touch into ...
News Source: ABC News on 2024-12-05
Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition: Image of young sharks hunting ...
The dynamics between predator and prey are laid bare in a striking image of fish being attacked by sharks in the shallow waters of the Maldives, which has claimed the top prize in this year’s Royal ...
News Source: CNN on 2024-12-04
Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of an...
Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize...
News Source: ABC News on 2024-11-22