Dual-Stage 4-Grid

The dual-stage 4 -grid ion engine ( DS4G ion drive, english dual -stage 4 -grid ion thruster ) is one of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Australian National University ( ANU) developed ion thruster. The engine can produce an ion beam, which is four times as fast as the most efficient to date, ion thrusters.

This increase in efficiency is achieved by the fact that the engine of the ion beam in two stages (English dual stage ) using four control grids (English 4 grid) is accelerated. Compared to the ion engine of the lunar probe SMART - 1, the engine is ten times as powerful. This could SMART -1, with the same gas supply, provided a suitable energy source, leave the solar system.

As ionizable fuel, the noble gas xenon is to be used.

Further Reading

  • C. Bramanti, R. Walker, among others: The innovative dual -stage 4 -grid ion thruster concept - Theory and experimental results. (PDF file, 548 kB) International Astronautical Federation, IAC -06- C4.4.7, 2006.
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