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These tiny electrospray thrusters cut spacecraft payload so that we can explore the asteroid belt, outer planets, and beyond. Subscribe to Freethink on YouTube \u25ba https://freeth.ink/youtube-subscribe Watch the Hard Reset series \u25ba https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXthoedLVIdLvnNgiCshQvqKdS7T_qeGY As humanity embarks on ambitious endeavors to explore the far reaches of our solar system and beyond, traditional propulsion techniques may be too inefficient for long-duration space missions. That's one of the reasons why researchers at the Space Propulsion Laboratory at MIT have been developing an alternative propulsion system: electrospray electric thrusters. These relatively small and energy-efficient thrusters have the potential to revolutionize deep space exploration, offering significant advantages over conventional propulsion systems. By utilizing electric propulsion, electrospray thrusters deliver a higher specific impulse, enabling spacecraft to travel farther with less propellant, or enabling space agencies to launch smaller spacecraft into space. This increased efficiency is crucial for tackling the challenges of deep space exploration, as it reduces the overall mass and cost of space missions while increasing their range and duration. Electric propulsion could also prove to be a cheap and easy way to keep satellites in orbit above Earth indefinitely, potentially offering a way to clean up space debris. \u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0 Read more of our stories on space travel: Space travel will radically change human psychology and spirituality \u25ba https://www.freethink.com/space/space-travel-spirituality/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory to finally answer the epic question: “Are we alone?” \u25ba https://www.freethink.com/space/are-we-alone-in-the-universe/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description “Treasure map” guides scientists to massive meteorite \u25ba https://www.freethink.com/space/meteorites/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description \u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1 Watch our original series: \u25ba Hard Reset: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXthoedLVIdLvnNgiCshQvqKdS7T_qeGY \u25ba Just Might Work: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXthoedLVIdIS7K-6oNkrya-v-k-X4zYI \u25ba Challengers: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXthoedLVIdKeeuwpDPSyHSC54obntRxB \u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0\u25e0 About Freethink No politics, no gossip, no cynics. At Freethink, we believe the daily news should inspire people to build a better world. While most media is fueled by toxic politics and negativity, we focus on solutions: the smartest people, the biggest ideas, and the most ground breaking technology shaping our future. \u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1\u25e1 Enjoy Freethink on your favorite platforms: \u25ba Daily editorial features: https://www.freethink.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description \u25ba Solutions-based stories, straight to your inbox: https://www.freethink.com/subscribe/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description \u25ba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freethinkmedia​/ \u25ba Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freethink​/ \u25ba Twitter: https://twitter.com/freethinkmedia​/ \u25ba Join the Freethink forum: http://www.facebook.com/groups/freethinkforum/