The Plasma Separator Ion Engine

A conceptual breakthrough in ion engines for space flight will allow the optimization of the ion source and the accelerator system independently. Generation losses (less than 100 w/a ions) haw been measured which are much lower than alternative approaches. Calculated engine performance curves show higher thrust and efficiency than other ion engines and less propellant consumption than the arc-jet. Ion trajectories, calculated by a digital computer program, show no direct impingement. Efficient low current density operation is feasible, with greatly increased engine life.