Rezwan wrote: My understanding is that ion propulsion is orders of magnitude better than chemical propulsion, but now that you mention it, I can’t put my hands on the numbers. Here is a post on DPFs and Space Propulsion.
One issue is boost phase (getting out of atmosphere and the gravity well). Ion drives have been low-thrust long-duration winners in long journeys; it’s the “halfway to anywhere” achievement of orbit that’s critical. I believe using DPF for MHD thrust supposedly solves that.
IIRC, wasn’t Eric’s funding in the mid-90s from the DOE under the banner of Advanced Propulsion systems, until that whole area was de-funded by penny-wise pound-foolish Congresscritters?
