DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF AN ION WING PROTOTYPE

Abstract

Ion propulsion, traditionally utilized for adjusting satellite and space station trajectories, also holds considerable promise for aeronautical applications. This paper explores the viability of an ionic wing designed to ionize atmospheric air using a grid-based system thus eliminating the necessity for external gases such as xenon. The proposed wing features a rectangular configuration equipped with multiple grids, enabling selective application of electrical voltage to facilitate controlled tilting and directed flight maneuvers. Preliminary propulsion calculations are presented, linking voltage requirements to achievable speeds and the resulting thrust. These findings contribute to developing an aircraft model capable of selfpropulsion without reliance on fossil fuels, highlighting the potential to replace conventional kerosene-based propulsion with simpler, more cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternatives.