Hall Thrusters
Ionize xenon or krypton and accelerate ions with electric and magnetic fields.
Electric rockets
Electric propulsion is not a launch replacement from Earth, but it is powerful for in-space station-keeping, orbit raising, and deep-space missions.
Ionize xenon or krypton and accelerate ions with electric and magnetic fields.
Very high specific impulse with low thrust, suited to long-duration science and commercial spacecraft.
A reactor can provide electric power for efficient low-thrust propulsion over long periods.
Electric propulsion can reach high total velocity over time, but thrust is too low for launch from Earth. Chemical rockets remain necessary for liftoff.