Plasma thruster gains momentum

In the comment section a person stated there was a difference in class between Ion & Plasma propulsion engines. I was under the impression the terms were interchangeable. Was I wrong?

Not that I know of, plasma is a positively charged gas, or an ion. So I think you are right. Most likely the other person just likes to sound smart.

perhaps is the way how the propulsion is executed. Ion engines arent exactely new....but plasma...hmmm

And someday, someone will bolt one to the top of a 62 Ford and make the #1 spot in the Darwin Awards. Seriously though, pretty durn kewl.

Ooooooo where getting closer ^^

In the comment section a person stated there was a difference in class between Ion & Plasma propulsion engines. I was under the impression the terms were interchangeable. Was I wrong? I've been trying to find out the difference since you asked the question. If my understanding is correct the terms are not completely interchangeable. Plasma thrusters are a type of ion thruster. An ion thruster is any in which an ions are accelerated to produce thrust. These ions can be generated in several ways. However a plasma thruster is a specific kind of ion thruster in which gas is superheated to prod... [More]