A photo from open sources
In the near future in space will be tested electric rocket engine (ERE) using iodine as fuel. Already it is known that the tests will be conducted on the ISS.
The developers said that the evaluation of the operation of this engine in security purposes will be carried out without the participation of astronauts. The electric propulsion will be placed on the Progress cargo spacecraft.
According to plans, after undocking the device will be within 30 days to move in automatic mode. At work new engines will be continuously monitored, and based on the results testing scientists will analyze the effect of iodine on materials spacecraft.
Scientists are not without reason interested in the new engine, since it more economical than existing engines. Besides, an iodine engine does not require such a complex feed system and storage, as is done on xenon engines. What else importantly, the technical capabilities of the new engine are not lower existing ones.
The developers also said that the experimental installation can be used both for correction of spacecraft on orbit, so be a marching engine. And thanks to the high an iodine engine can be used to implement transport tasks in deep space.
Andrey Vetrov
Russia
