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| − | {{:PB-ION Electric Propulsion System/Box}}
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| − | The '''PB-ION Electric Propulsion System''' is a tiny-sized engine which runs on [[electricity]] and [[xenon gas]] propellant. It's modeled after the real-world [[w:Hall effect thruster|Hall effect thruster]]. Although it is a propulsion system, it can be found in the utility tab of the [[VAB]] and [[SPH]].
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| − | == Usage ==
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| − | This engine has a phenomenal fuel efficiency (4200 s I<sub>sp</sub>), but very low thrust and requires an immense amount of [[electricity]] to operate. Xenon gas is provided by xenon containers like the [[PB-X150 Xenon Container]]. Electricity can be obtained using [[solar panel]]s and radioisotope batteries. The amount of electricity needed to keep one ion engine running at full thrust is roughly equivalent to half the output of one [[Gigantor XL Solar Array]] (however one array will not power 2 engines), 12 [[PB-NUK Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]]s, or 7 [[OX-STAT Photovoltaic Panels]].
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| − | Batteries can be used to store the electricity since there may be times the solar panels will be blocked from [[Kerbol|the Sun]] by objects or the dark side of [[Celestial body|celestial bodies]].
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| − | The ion engine is good for fine tuning of orbits. It is also a popular propulsion method for planes on planets on which [[jet engine]]s don't work. Due to its great fuel efficiency it is also well-suited for interplanetary travel, but maneuvers take a long time to complete due to its low [[thrust-to-weight ratio]] - it is advised to use it for very small craft, and to use [[Time warp#Physical Time Warp|physics-warp]] while propelling with it.
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| − | It is practically impossible to build an ion-rocket which can defeat gravity on [[Kerbin]], because the engine isn't even strong enough to lift itself against gravity, let alone itself and its fuel, a battery and a probe core. But when on a low-gravity moon like [[Minmus]] or [[Gilly]] it is possible to land, start, enter orbit and reach escape velocity with ion-propulsion alone. As of 0.23.5, it is technically possible to create an ion-powered probe, albeit with a minimum of parts,
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| − | which will be able to defy [[Mun]] gravity. With that in mind, it is also possible to resist gravity with lightweight Ion craft on Duna, Moho, Dres, Eeloo, and every in-game moon with two exceptions: Laythe and Tylo have too high gravity for a single ion thruster, xenon tank, probe core, and battery.
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| − | Ion-powered "ferries" may also be useful for moving fuel, oxidizer and/or kerbonauts between two larger vessels, by keeping the large craft at such range that only one of them is within draw distance from the "ferry" at any moment, performance loss can be avoided. It is generally more fuel-efficient to move fuel and oxidizer between two ships using a ferry than it would be to dock the larger crafts together using their own engines and RCS.
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| − | Because it uses only about 0.485 units of xenon per second, one [[PB-X50R Xenon Container]] with 400 units of xenon can supply the engine for almost 14 minutes. The other larger tank [[PB-X150 Xenon Container]] with 700 units of xenon has enough to supply the engine more than 24 minutes.
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| − | === Electrical consumption ===
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| − | The part.cfg lists the electrical consumption as 1.8 E which is the electricity consumed for 0.1 xenon. This is a ratio, and to propel 1 xenon an electricity of 18 E is required. As seen ingame, the fuel flow is 0.0485 kg/s or 0.4849 xenon/s. The electricity consumption is 8.7285 E/s.<ref>Answer in the forum to [http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/26354-Ion-Engine-consumes-more-energy-than-it-should?p=321868&viewfull=1#post321868 Ion Engine consumes more energy than it should].</ref> As the I<sub>sp</sub> given in seconds needs to be multiplied with a slightly higher acceleration (9.82 m/s²) than g<sub>0</sub> (= 9.81 m/s²) the actual I<sub>sp</sub> in m/s is higher and therefore the xenon and electrical consumption is lower.<ref>In [[:File:10X Xenon.png]] 10 PB-Ion engines are running at full power and consuming a lower value that 10× the theoretical value.</ref>
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| − | == Description ==
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| − | {{Quote
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| − | |By emitting ionized xenon gas through a small thruster port, the PB-ION can produce incredibly efficient propulsion, but with a downside of very low thrust and high expense. The general perception of this engine as being powered by "witchcraft" has unfortunately given it a sour reputation.
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| − | |Ionic Protonic Electronics}}
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| − | {{Quote
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| − | |By emitting ionized xenon gas through a small thruster port, the PB-ION can produce incredibly efficient propulsion, but with a downside of very low thrust and high energy usage. According to ISP Electronics sales reps, the rumours of this engine being powered by "dark magic" are largely exaggerated.
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| − | |Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics}}
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| − | == Gallery ==
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | Solar ion engine plane.png | A Solar Glider Ready for take-off. This ship uses ion engines.
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| − | Solar ion engine plane flying.png | The Solar glider in action.
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| − | IPSP orbit.png | The [[Ion-Powered Space Probe]] stock craft, powered by an ion engine.
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| − | </gallery>
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| − | == Changes ==
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| − | ;{{Version|0.23.5|}}
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| − | * Ionic Protonic Electronics renamed Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics, description changed, thrust increased from 0.5 to 2, relative electricity reduced from 12 to 1.8.
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| − | ;{{Version|0.18|}}
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| − | * Initial Release
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| − | == References ==
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| − | <references /> | |
| − | {{Parts}}
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