Ion-Powered Space Probe
The Ion-Powered Space Probe is a stock probe which utilizes the PB-ION Electric Propulsion System ion engine.
This probe requires a launcher, as the ion engine doesn't provide enough thrust even to leave the ground. The Z-MAP Satellite launcher is capable of bringing this probe into orbit.
Two PB-NUK Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, mounted on opposite sides, are its only electric generators. They are buffered by four Z-100 Rechargeable Battery Packs. 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.
The probe is equipped with two sensors: A 2HOT Thermometer and a Double-C Seismic Accelerometer. There is enough place on the probe-body for attaching further sensors like the GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detectors.
Description
| “ | This small probe may look cute and unimpressive, but once it deploys its long-range antenna, it looks pretty much the same. 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 |
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