Difference between revisions of "Ion-Powered Space Probe"

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[[File:IPSP launch pad.png|thumb|left|upright|The probe as payload on top of the '''Z-MAP Satellite''' launcher on the [[launch pad]]]]
 
[[File:IPSP orbit.png|thumb|The probe in an orbit around [[Kerbin]]]]
 
  
The '''Ion-Powered Space Probe''' is a [[Stock craft|stock]] [[probe]] which utilizes the [[PB-ION Electric Propulsion System]] ion engine.
 
 
This probe requires a launcher, as the ion engine doesn't have a high enough thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) to leave the ground. The [[Z-MAP Satellite]] launcher is capable of bringing this probe into orbit.
 
 
Two [[PB-NUK Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]]s, mounted on opposite sides, are its only electric generators. They are buffered by four [[Z-100 Rechargeable Battery Pack]]s. As the generators aboard don't generate enough electricity and some is needed to run the command module, the ion engine can only run up to 20% of its maximum thrust. This limits the maximum force applied by the engine to about 400 N or completely dry an acceleration about 0.72 m/s². A possible modification is replacing the PB-NUKs with some solar panels.
 
 
The probe is equipped with two [[sensor]]s: A [[2HOT Thermometer]] and a [[Double-C Seismic Accelerometer]]. There is enough room on the probe body for attaching further sensors like the [[GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector]]s.
 
 
== Craft Description ==
 
{{Quote|This small probe may look cute and unimpressive, but once it deploys its long-range antenna, it looks pretty much the same.<br />Its Ion engine is very efficient for a spacecraft this small, so it can go very far indeed, as long as something helps it get into orbit first, of course.|Squad}}
 
 
== Capabilities ==
 
 
The probe has almost 4.5 km/s of delta-V.  This is enough to leave Kerbin orbit and travel anywhere in the solar system, provided the operator can be patient with its limited [[TWR]].  On small moons (all of them except for [[Tylo]]) and planets ([[Moho]], barely, and [[Eeloo]]), the probe has enough thrust to land and take off.
 
 
{{Stock craft}}
 
[[Category:Stock craft]]
 

Revision as of 18:08, 17 March 2017