In contrast, electric thrusters produce thrust by using electric power to accelerate propellants such as electrically charged ions away from a spacecraft.
But electric thrusters are highly efficient at producing thrust, given the small amount of propellant they carry.
Related: Superfast spacecraft propulsion systems (images).Previous research has shown electric thrusters using iodine can prove more efficient than ones employing xenon in ground-based tests.
For example, iodine is highly corrosive, posing a potential danger to electronics and other systems onboard spacecraft.
In addition, vibrations during launch and spacecraft motion once in orbit can make solid iodine break into pieces, which may damage the propulsion system, among other problems. .
Now scientists have for the first time launched an iodine-based electric thruster into space and showed that it can help propel a spacecraft in orbit."We show that iodine can be safely used in space, bringing an option for propulsion systems onboard even the smallest spacecraft," said study lead author Dmytro Rafalskyi, chief technical officer and co-founder of space propulsion company ThrustMe, which is headquartered near Paris.The new findings show that iodine is not only a viable propellant, but can also achieve nearly 50% more efficient propulsion than xenon, because of factors such as how iodine is easier to electrify than xenon."We are pioneers in using iodine, but that doesn't mean that we don't encourage others to switch to this propellant," Rafalskyi said."Currently, the majority of the smallest satellites don't have any propulsion options due to the complexity, cost and risks associated with the use of standard propulsion systems," Rafalskyi said.