New ION engine

[grooble]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4527696.stm<br /><br />Sounds promising. <br /><br /><i>The European team, from Esa and the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, has now confirmed the Australian findings, and Esa is convinced it could realistically power spacecraft of the future. <br /><br />Esa believes double layer drives could be as small and economical as the one on board Smart 1, but much more powerful, which would enable craft to accelerate and decelerate faster. <br /><br /></i>

 

[jmilsom]

Any non-BBC links? I cannot access BBC news from my location. Very keen to read about this. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[nacnud]

Spacedaily.com is running an article on it.

 

[mlorrey]

Looks like an ordinary hall thruster...

 

[kdavis007]

Sweet....