We went to MIT to see the first test of a new electric thruster system | Hard Reset

These tiny electrospray thrusters cut spacecraft payload so that we can explore the asteroid belt, outer planets, and beyond.

As humanity embarks on ambitious endeavors to explore the far reaches of our solar system and beyond, traditional propulsion techniques may be too inefficient for long-duration space missions. That's one of the reasons why researchers at the Space Propulsion Laboratory at MIT have been developing an alternative propulsion system: electrospray electric thrusters.

These relatively small and energy-efficient thrusters have the potential to revolutionize deep space exploration, offering significant advantages over conventional propulsion systems. By utilizing electric propulsion, electrospray thrusters deliver a higher specific impulse, enabling spacecraft to travel farther with less propellant, or enabling space agencies to launch smaller spacecraft into space. This increased efficiency is crucial for tackling the challenges of deep space exploration, as it reduces the overall mass and cost of space missions while increasing their range and duration.

Electric propulsion could also prove to be a cheap and easy way to keep satellites in orbit above Earth indefinitely, potentially offering a way to clean up space debris.

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Read more of our stories on space travel:
Space travel will radically change human psychology and spirituality
NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory to finally answer the epic question: “Are we alone?”
“Treasure map” guides scientists to massive meteorite
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Watch our original series:

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[freethink]

What would you like to see with democratized access to space?

[miabruno]

Thanks so much for visiting the lab and putting together this video, we loved having you guys! 🚀

[oscarcazarez]

Inventions like these keep me optimistic about our future. I'm no one & I give thanks for great people like these scientists.

[darrentsang]

8:43 is not comparable. Falcon 9 use fuel for entering earth orbit from the ground, but electric propelling is only useful once it has escaped from earth

[jeffreyknutson]

I love seeing the enthusiasm that these MIT students and the Instructor have! It makes me smile all day!!!

[JP-jdwr]

I hope we have just as many people focused on fully exploring our own planet such as the ocean depths. Would be cool to live in a new exploration age where both space and the ocean are fully being mapped and explored.

[sevex]

It looked like the engine used lots of really small aero-spikes. That's neat. I didn't catch what fuel was planned, I assume it can use any of the regular suspects for ion engines. I guess the craft will have enough mass that the spring loaded separation won't cause it to lurch off course. Those long springs seemed iffy to me.

[eugene_pikalov]

- We're going to replace Saturn V!
- What thrust does this make?
- Like a mosquito

[nc]

I've always seen scientists as real heroes. These people are absolutely brilliant. 👏

[harrison]

2:49 Now I want to see a full list of thrusters, or forms of propulsion

[empmachine]

That "750...million volts" bit totally made me snort!!

[Simons_Valere]

This guy really loves his work! ❤ beautiful

[BHSAHFAD]

ill be honest, that staging demo the dude at MIT was so happy about didn't seem so impressive. I could literally build something that detaches with springs and servos...

[colin]

Won't someone fly into that space junk one day? I know space is exceptionally vast, but even if you had radar, the chances of changing coarse in time to avoid a small piece of junk at high speed seems very difficult.

[tioopuh]

Lol am I the only one that saw the springs 😂 this is like the coffee pot video 😂😂😂😂

[joseph]

Very interesting, but one successful day I created an electromagnetic propulsion system that does not eject fuel and does not violate the laws of physics. It took me several months of mediation [head word] to find this method of propulsion. After conducting conclusive tests I time stamped it in my name. Currently it is in my archives. Maybe one day it will be used for space propulsion.

[robertankersmit]

Instead of stages why not simply unfold each stage like a flower/oragami and then run them at the same time. That way you do not have the added cost of discharging each stage into space, which could of course cause more space debries which could hinder other missions.

[aldarrin]

Maybe I'm missing something, but these look like ion propulsion thrusters. Electric thrusters normally mean they don't need propellent (and absolutely don't exist yet).

[ShirishJadav]

nice to see open source hardware on board.. teensy rocks.

[ShawnMcKee]

What propellant is used? What is the ISP of the thruster? How will it get its electric energy in the asteroid belt? This is a well-produced PR piece for a new ion thruster engine. No details.