Gridded ion thruster

A gridded ion thruster is a type of electric propulsion system used primarily in spacecraft for propulsion and maneuvering in space. It works by using electric fields to accelerate ions, which are charged particles. The primary components of a gridded ion thruster include: 1. **Ionizer**: A gas (usually a noble gas such as xenon) is ionized by electron bombardment, creating positive ions and free electrons.