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ESA Moves Forward on New Electric Engine

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the advanced-thrusting dept.

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."

5 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Hello!? Ion engines are NOT traditional thrusters. by flowerp · · Score: 5, Funny

    Would the article submitter PLEASE not call ion engines "traditional thrusters"?

    Now back to thrusting my girlfriend traditionally.

    --
    --- Eat my sig.
  2. Sweet! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can't wait to put one of these bad-boys in my Civic!

  3. Re:Hello!? Ion engines are NOT traditional thruste by Trogre · · Score: 5, Funny

    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
  4. Oblig ... by Mostly+a+lurker · · Score: 4, Funny
    I thought articles that got to the front page were screened/checked? Am I wrong?

    You must be new here.

  5. Re:still need fuel by Ars+Dilbert · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's what Bussard Hydrogen collectors are for.