Message posted by Gimbal on May 06, 2011 at 2:21:57 PST:
The GOCE Satellite uses ion propulsion, the thrust you get is around that of a sheet of paper resting on your hand. In space that force over time accumulates eventually building up a head of steam however you still need rocket propulsion to leave Earth and acheive orbit circa 17,500mph or escape velocity 25,000mph. Quite a number of proposed deep space projects are looking at this perhaps combing it this with large reflective sails to also get a push from the solar wind.
In Reply to: ion propulsion posted by piano on May 05, 2011 at 23:25:18 PST:
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