Scientists Build A Better Rocket Engine

Thats very interesting for me and for Turkey.Will it be possible to supply the engine to Turkey?Is it possible to get further news?Please e-mail to:

cengizkorkmaz1@superonline.com

Some of the articles that I've seen on this actually create the slightly misleading impression that this rocket engine helps 'blasting' the satellite into space - a bit of journalistic freedom, I suppose.

In reality, it is only proposed to be used once the craft is in free space and some boost in kinetic energy is required for long distance flight (interplanetary and further). Like ion-engines, it has a feeble thrust, but it is 'long-playing' and over time, offers a good 'delta-v'.

The saving of lift-off weight results from the lesser fuel that needs to be hoisted into orbit for the later boost towards the 'higher ground' of interplanetary space. I've got no idea how it would be used in military applications, though...

Jorrie

Jorrie, you're explanation sheds an entirely different light on the subject! From the original title, it would appear to be a launch motor. I worked at White Sands PG for some time. One potential application might be relatively rapid re-location of a satellite during war, or maneuverability in orbit for whatever reason. Recently, the Chinese have demonstrated the ability to "shoot down" satellites in orbit. If the satellite was capable of rapid change in position, that might pose a much more difficult intercept problem.

Hi Cardio-2, you wrote: "One potential application might be relatively rapid re-location of a satellite during war, or maneuverability in orbit for whatever reason."

The problem is, ion engines have very, very little thrust, in the order of 0.1 N, so there is not too much scope for "relatively rapid re-location", for example, it cannot possible alter the inclination of a satellite's orbit.

Ion engines may perhaps be useful in very low orbiting satellites to replace the energy lost due to atmospheric friction at minimal extra launch mass.

Regards, Jorrie