What force magnitude is used to characterize the minimal thrust of an ion thruster?

Answer

The weight of a single sheet of paper held against gravity

Ion thrusters are defined by their extremely low thrust output. This minimal force is often quantified by comparing it to the weight of a single sheet of paper when that paper is held stationary against Earth's gravity. This characteristic low magnitude means they generate only a minuscule push. Consequently, they are utterly incapable of overcoming Earth's gravity well for launch or performing rapid maneuvers, necessitating months or years of continuous operation to achieve significant velocity changes needed for interplanetary travel. This contrasts sharply with chemical rockets which produce forces orders of magnitude greater than the vehicle's weight.

What force magnitude is used to characterize the minimal thrust of an ion thruster?

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