NASA's NEXT ion thruster clocks up continuous operation world record

NASA's NEXT ion thruster clocks up continuous operation world record:

NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) ion engine has set a new world record by clocking up 43,000 hours of continuous operation at NASA’s Glenn Research Center’s Electric Propulsion Laboratory. The seven-kilowatt thruster is intended to propel future NASA deep space probes on missions where chemical rockets aren't a practical option... Continue Reading NASA's NEXT ion thruster clocks up continuous operation world record

Section: Aero Gizmo

Tags: ion engine, NASA, Space, Spacecraft, World Records

Related Articles:

• NASA studying solar-electric propulsion for “space tugboat”
• NASA examines hybrid solar-electric propulsion for manned space missions
• In pictures: NASA tracer rockets form ringed clouds at the edge of space
• New ion engine could reach Mars in 39 days
• NASA to demonstrate largest-ever solar sail in space
• Microthruster ion drive gives tiny satellites a boost