Hall-effect thruster

A Hall-effect thruster (HET) is a type of electric propulsion system used primarily in spacecraft. It operates by utilizing the Hall effect to generate thrust through ionized propellant. Here is how it works: 1. **Ionization**: The thruster uses a noble gas, typically xenon, as propellant. Inside the thruster, this gas is ionized by an electric discharge, which turns it into plasma consisting of positively charged ions and free electrons.