Ion thruster RIT 10
Ion thruster RIT 10
The image depicts an ion thruster from the RIT 10 family in the STG-ET test chamber at DLR's Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology in Göttingen. The RIT 10 radio frequency ion thruster from AIRBUS DS Lampoldshausen was used for the first time to electrically position a satellite in its target orbit after the chemical propulsion system intended for this task failed. The RIT-10, which was originally only intended for correcting the spacecraft's orbit, provided the propulsion for the remaining 5000 kilometres to the target orbit. It continues to operate today.
