article_snippet: ’s first all-electric communications satellites successfully launched this morning.
article_snippet: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying two commercial communications satellites launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41 this morning are unique in that A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying two commercial communications satellites launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41 this morning are powered solely by ion propulsion, as opposed to chemical propellant that is usually favoured.
article_snippet: ‘The value of electrical propulsion is that electrical propulsion allows the satellite operator to need much less fuel than when the satellite has chemical propulsion,’ Eutelsat chief executive Michel de Rosen said in an interview before launch.
article_snippet: However, as ion propulsion - also known as Solar Electric Propulsion - is much weaker than chemical propulsion, it will take - Eutelsat and ABS months rather than weeks to reach - Eutelsat and ABS desired geostationary orbit.
article_snippet: The satellites are unique in that The satellites are powered solely by ion propulsion, as opposed to chemical propellant that is usually favoured .