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XIPS - A method of electrical propulsion where Xe+ ions ( xenon atoms with one electron removed) are accelerated electrostatically through an electric field to velocities of about 30 km/s. There is a positive grid with an electric potential of +1090 V and a negative grid with an electric potential of -225 V.Xenon is used because it is an inert gas with a high atomic number, which means that the amount of energy required to create the ions, per unit mass, is small. The fact that it is inert reduces the amount of electrode corrosion, which extends its useful lifetime.
NASA used this system on their Deep Space 1 probe.
Spacecraft propulsion
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