Do ion thrusters work on Earth?
Ion thrust engines are generally practical only in the vacuum of space as the engine’s minuscule thrust cannot overcome any significant air resistance without radical design changes, as may be found in the ‘Atmosphere Breathing Electric Propulsion’ concept. Plasma engines are well-suited for interplanetary missions due to their high specific impulse. Many space agencies developed plasma propulsion systems, including the European Space Agency, Iranian Space Agency and Australian National University, who co-developed a double layer thruster.Unlike NASA’s space-based plasma thrusters, which operate in vacuum and produce low force, this technology is designed for the dense, demanding atmosphere of Earth.