Researchers test electric iodine propulsion engine for satellites in orbit

Slash Gear

Satellites orbiting the Earth today are fitted with thrusters to help them achieve the desired orbit and stay there. Today, the thrusters aboard the satellites rely on electricity used to ionize and push xenon particles for thrust. As xenon atoms are ionized, they can build thrust due to their weight. The challenge with utilizing xenon for thrust board satellites is that the gas is rare, expensive, and hard to store.