Normally the scientific community takes a stab at making science fiction a reality. But, science fiction took a page from science this time around. Learn about how the ion engines of Star Wars work in reality and how it is enabling space exploration, like never before.
Links: CubeSat Podcast, Saturn V Rocket, Ion Propulsion Science, Dawn Spacecraft and Ion Propulsion, Starshot Project
Credit: Music: “Carefree” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Image: NASA’s 2.3 kW NSTAR ion thruster for the Deep Space 1 spacecraft during a hot fire test at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory by NASA
About the Author
![]() ![]() |