Comparisons
The following table compares actual test data of some ion thrusters:
| Engine | Propellant | Required Power (kW) |
Specific Impulse (s) |
Thrust (mN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSTAR | Xenon | 2.3 | 3,300 | 92 max. |
| NEXT | Xenon | 7.7 | 4,300 | 236 max. |
| NEXIS | Xenon | 20.5 | ||
| HiPEP | Xenon | 25-50 | 6,000-9,000 | 460-670 |
| RIT 22 | Xenon | 5 | ||
| Hall effect | Bismuth | 25 | ||
| Hall effect | Bismuth | 140 | ||
| Hall effect | Xenon | 25 | 3,250 | 950 |
| Hall effect | Xenon | 75 | ||
| FEEP | Liquid Caesium | 6x10−5-0.06 | 6,000-10,000 | 0.001-1 |
| VASIMR | Argon | 200 | ~5000 |
The following thrusters are highly experimental and have been tested only in pulse mode.
| Engine | Propellant | Required Power (kW) |
Specific Impulse (s) |
Thrust (mN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPDT | Hydrogen | 1,500 | 4,900 | 26,300 |
| MPDT | Hydrogen | 3,750 | 3,500 | 88,500 |
| MPDT | Hydrogen | 7,500 | 6,000 | 60,000 |
| LiLFA | Lithium Vapor | 500 | 4,077 | 12,000 |
Read more about this topic: Ion Thruster
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