Getting that fuel into orbit is costly, too! Ion thrusters, in their various forms, offer an alternative solution – miniscule thrust, but high fuel efficiency. This tiny push won’t get you off ...

Its electric direct propeller propulsion allows it to operate discreetly in all kinds of areas. According to a report, the drone is powered by Lithium-ion batteries. It has a range of 1242 miles ...

The first stage successfully landed on a drone ship after liftoff from Vandenberg ... with the deployed satellites to utilize their ion thrusters in an attempt to raise their orbits.