# 109. From Blastoff to Beyond: Ion Thrusters Pushing the Limits of Space Travel

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-02-14
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel-LBzB1_Sj

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a University of Michigan study on ultra-efficient plasma thrusters for deep space travel. They analyze how researchers challenged the assumption that ion thrusters have a current cap by running a Hall thruster at five times its rated power, achieving high thrust with water cooling. The episode highlights the switch from expensive Xenon to more affordable Krypton propellant and the potential for scaling these electric propulsion systems to reduce fuel mass for missions to Mars.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [2:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=132) Ion Thruster Basics and Physics
- [5:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=304) Thrust Comparison: Ion vs. Chemical Propulsion
- [8:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=502) The Efficiency Problem and Specific Impulse
- [11:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=661) Challenging the Current Cap Assumption
- [13:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=808) Experimental Results: Power Scaling and Cooling
- [14:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=867) Propellant Swap: Xenon to Krypton
- [18:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-14-109-from-blastoff-to-beyond-ion-thrusters-pushing-the-limits-of-space-travel#t=1102) Future Implications for Satellites and Mars Missions

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- University of Michigan (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Raptor engine (product)
- Merlin engine (product)
- Starship (product)
- Falcon Heavy (product)
- Util Sat 7C (product)
- Hall thruster (product)
- Xenon (material)
- Krypton (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electric Propulsion with Todd Bailey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-22-electric-propulsion-with-todd-bailey) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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