Deep Space 1

[Kaziarl]

Does anyone remember this? It was a probe that NASA launched that, among other things, was testing a new ion propulsion drive. I haven't heard anything about it other then it was launched, beyond that does anyone have any info? I'm curious as to what happened to it.

 

[GodThingFormerly]

http://nmp.nasa.gov/ds1/

TGT

 

[Kaziarl]

I cant quite interpret their tables. How fast did DS1 actually go?

And in laymens terms... how does the ion drive work?

 

[GodThingFormerly]

http://nmp.nasa.gov/ds1/tech/ionpropfaq.html

TGT

 

[Kaziarl]

Ok, so speculation time...

Acceleration, couldn't they use the chemical thrusters for quick acceleration if they need it, then use the ion drive to get to even higher speeds?

Fuel. If it's just ionized gas, why not use hydrogen? That way they could just... pick it up as they went along?