Ion propulsion powers model aircraft

[Notebook]

December 3, 2018 | 06:23

This bug-zapper actually flies!
In science fiction Ion power is a favorite propulsion method for space vehicles, in reality this technology is now not so futuristic since it has been successfully deployed to power space probes such as Deep Space 1 and is also routinely used in the form of thrusters to correct the position of satellites in orbit.

Now Steven Barret together with researchers at MIT has achieved a first: they managed to propel a heavier-than-air craft using an ion engine operating in Earth’s atmosphere rather than the vacuum of space.

https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/ion-propulsion-for-model-aircraft

 

[RisingFury]

Saw it a few days ago. Really impressive.

 

[EthanKrauss]

The first ion propelled aircraft to carry its power supply is legally covered under US Patent # 10,119,527. It predates MITs glider by about 10 years. There are videos of it online and plenty of other evidence irrefutably showing it flying first. The MIT paper does say they are "the first to fly any kind of ion propelled craft with onboard power." This is an odd situation, that I doubt will be brushed under the rug forever. Here is one URL where a lot of information can be found about it: www.electronairllc.org