Ion engine X-3. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Ion Engine X-3

20.10.2017

NASA specialists tested the X-3 ion engine developed by researchers from the University of Michigan (USA), which set new records for power, thrust and current.

The principle of operation of the X-3 engine is based on the Hall effect, which occurs when a magnetic field acts on moving charged particles - for example, gas ions. In this case, the ions deviate from their trajectory, which causes a current perpendicular to the main direction. This creates additional thrust and makes it possible to achieve a high flow rate of xenon, which is used as an ionized gas.

The ion thruster, one meter in diameter, weighs 227 kilograms and is equipped with three plasma output channels, which makes it possible to reduce its size compared to single-channel thrusters. The X-3 is powered by the XR-100 electric propulsion system developed by the American company Aerojet Rocketdyne. During the process in the vacuum chamber, the engine showed a power of more than 100 kilowatts and a thrust of 5,4 newtons.

For comparison, other samples of Hall effect ion thrusters developed a power of no more than five kilowatts. The main advantage of such engines is a high specific impulse - about 40 kilometers per second. Conventional liquid fuel rockets develop only 5 kilometers per second. As a result, less fuel is spent, but the thrust is low, so ion engines have not yet been able to overcome the earth's gravity.

NASA specialists intend to continue testing the X-3 ion engine next year. During the next stage of testing, scientists are going to test the endurance of the engine by making it run at full power for 100 hours. Especially for this experiment, a special magnetic shielding system will be built, which will protect the walls of the ion engine from hot plasma.

<< Back: Super solar flare predicted 21.10.2017

>> Forward: Navigation module TESEO-LIV3F 20.10.2017

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Autonomous powered marine robot drone 22.04.2013

Liquid Robotics has unveiled a new version of the WaveGlider robotic unmanned boat. Now the robot has received a virtually unlimited range thanks to solar panels and a generator that draws energy from the waves of the sea.

The WaveGlider robot is quite well known: since 2009, it has already covered a total of 555,6 thousand km. So, in November 2011, the robot left the port in San Francisco and in January 2013 crossed the Pacific Ocean, covering 17,4 thousand km. The high performance of the WaveGlider, in particular its unprecedented cruising range, has already attracted the attention of the US Navy, which is considering using these robots to patrol the ocean expanses.

The new version of the robot, called the Glider SV3, is 4m long, weighs 122kg and can carry up to 45kg of payload. The main mover is a special underwater structure, similar to a torpedo with six pairs of wings. Thanks to the rolling on the waves, the rotating wings of the underwater part of the Glider SV3 continuously pull the boat forward, which ensures movement at low speed. Power is provided by solar panels with a peak power of 170 watts. The panels charge a 980 Wh lithium-ion battery. Navigation is provided by GPS, and management by special software running on a Linux operating system in combination with Java. This software allows you to control the robot from a smartphone or tablet.

The power system has enough power to power a satellite communications system and a variety of sensors, including acoustic sensors for detecting submarines. At the same time, due to its small size, lack of heat sources and noiselessness, the Glider SV3 itself is quite difficult to detect.

According to the developers, with rare regular maintenance, the Glider SV3 can be in the open ocean for years.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews