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ESA designs its smallest ever space engine to push back against sunshine
 
10 March 2009

Ion beams
The patents relate to field-emission ion-source and electrode-configuration development, forming part of the Technology Research Programme. The inventions are for use in an ion-thruster for space propulsion.
The technology has been used in the manifacturing of an ion focusing column for use in surface analysis.

Credits: ESA
 
 
Technology
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