Why must ion thrusters operate in the near-perfect vacuum of space?
Answer
Atmospheric gases would degrade performance by interfering with the acceleration mechanism
The operation of an ion thruster is critically dependent on the environment because the mechanism relies on accelerating ions using precise, powerful electric fields. If atmospheric gases were present, these air molecules would immediately interfere with this process. Collisions with air molecules would either short-circuit the necessary electric fields or overpower them, drastically degrading the engine's performance and effectiveness, which is why this technology is restricted to the near-zero resistance environment of space.
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