Ion thrusters are categorized by that they accelerate the ions, making use of either electrostatic or electromagnetic force. Electrostatic ion thrusters operate the Coulomb force and accelerate the ions in direction of the electric field. Electromagnetic ion thrusters operate the Lorentz force to accelerate the ions. When an ion passes through an electrostatic grid serps, the potential difference from the electric field converts towards the ion’s kinetic energy.
Ion Thruster
