Ion Propulsion Technology: NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) Development and Long Duration Tests Results and its Applications

摘要

Ion propulsion is based on the concept of the collisions of neutral atoms with high energy electrons which causes ionization, this ionization then releases the positive ion allowing it to accelerate through the electrodes causing them to shoot out with high speeds. Ion propulsion technology took 50 years to produce until October 24 of 1998. In this year the first ever spacecraft to utilize ion propulsion technology to propel it was the Deep Space 1. From that year on ion propulsion technology was steadily increasing in popularity due to the fact that ion propulsion does not have a need for moving parts therefore less stress on the body/fuselage of any space/aircraft. Ion propulsion technology through the use of xenon as a propellant led NASA to the proposal of their newest project named N.E.X.T. NASA's Evolutionary Xenon thruster. NEXT system opens a door to a wide range of office of space science missions such as Saturn Ring Observer, and Comet surface sample collection mission.