Slashdot Mirror
ESA Moves Forward on New Electric Engine
museumpeace writes to tell us the ESA is reporting that they have confirmed the principle behind a new space thruster. Plasma Double Layers, first discovered by Australian researchers Christine Charles and Rod Boswell, may help to develop a new electric engine that gives more thrust than traditional engines while still maintaining efficiency. From the article: "In essence, a plasma double layer is the electrostatic equivalent of a waterfall. Just as water molecules pick up energy as they fall between the two different heights, so electrically charged particles pick up energy as they travel through the layers of different electrical properties."
Would the article submitter PLEASE not call ion engines "traditional thrusters"?
Now back to thrusting my girlfriend traditionally.
--- Eat my sig.
I can't wait to put one of these bad-boys in my Civic!
flowerp: I am now thrusting you traditionally.
SexyAnGeL_69: Talk geeky to me.
flowerp: I just read on Slashdot about a new electric engine.
SexyAnGeL_69: Oh wow! I'm....oh yes! Traditionally thrust me you bad boy!
...can it go to Ludicrus Speed?
How about through a semi-conductor so you can adjust burn rate with a slight bias adjustment? =)
that there's a 2N3055 Mach V Rev 1.2, mebbe they have an equivilent replacement at rocket shack
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
I put on my robe and wizard hat.
"Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
if the potential energy isn't really energy, then where does the energy the water picks up on the way down come from? It has to come from somewhere.
/me ducks :o)
Maybe it doesn't come from anywhere - maybe it's intelligent falling!
You must be new here.
It probably already is. :-/
Nothing to see here, move along now.
You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
There is a lot of hype here.
That's what Bussard Hydrogen collectors are for.
When the ESA develops an engine that can run on magic we'll be sure to give you a call.