What type of propellant is used by ion thrusters, and what is their main operational advantage?
Answer
Inert propellants like xenon; they offer immense efficiency ($I_{sp}$) over long periods.
Ion thrusters use inert propellants like xenon, ionizing the gas and accelerating it electrically. They produce only minuscule thrust but do so with immense efficiency, making them suitable for fine adjustments and low-thrust cruises.
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