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Smart-1 probe, a European Space Agency (ESA), continues to fulfill started a month ago the scientific program. The main feature of the experimental apparatus Smart-1, launched in September 2003 to study the structure of the lunar surface is the presence of an ion engine (in the image). In such an engine, unlike conventional chemical fuel engine, instead of the two reactants is applied, only one - the inert gas xenon. When using the same amount of fuel capable of ion engines operate much longer combustion engines. However, these savings have to "pay" a very small thrust of only 70 mN. Energy to ionize the xenon unit Smart-1 supply solar panels. Ions are accelerated by the magnetic field, and then extruded through a nozzle, creating a driving force. The unit Smart-1 weighs only 370 kg, and his flight to the moon took more than fourteen months. In this case, Smart-1 was the first space probe, has proven the effectiveness of the ion engine.

Source - Kompyulenta