Editing Ion thruster (section)

==== In Earth orbit ====
===== Tiangong space station =====
China's [[Tiangong space station]] is fitted with ion thrusters. Its [[Tianhe core module]] is propelled by both chemical thrusters and four Hall-effect thrusters,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-space-station-tianhe-launch|title=Three Decades in the Making, China's Space Station Launches This Week |website=IEEE |date=28 April 2021 |first=Andrew |last=Jones}}</ref> which are used to adjust and maintain the station's orbit. The development of the Hall-effect thrusters is considered a sensitive topic in China, with scientists "working to improve the technology without attracting attention". Hall-effect thrusters are created with crewed mission safety in mind with effort to prevent erosion and damage caused by the accelerated ion particles. A magnetic field and specially designed ceramic shield was created to repel damaging particles and maintain integrity of the thrusters. According to the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]], the ion drive used on Tiangong has burned continuously for 8,240 hours without a glitch, indicating their suitability for the Chinese space station's designated 15-year lifespan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3135770/how-chinas-space-station-could-help-power-astronauts-mars |title=How China's space station could help power astronauts to Mars |date=2 June 2021 |first=Stephen |last=Chen}}</ref> This is the world's first Hall thruster on a human-rated mission.<ref name="human_ion" />

===== Starlink =====
[[SpaceX]]'s [[Starlink]] [[satellite constellation]] uses [[Hall-effect thruster]]s powered by [[krypton]] or [[argon]] to raise orbit, perform maneuvers, and de-orbit at the end of their use.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/24/spacex-reveals-more-starlink-info-after-launch-of-first-60-satellites/|title=SpaceX reveals more Starlink info after launch of first 60 satellites|date=24 May 2019 |access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

===== GOCE =====
[[ESA]]'s [[Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer]] (GOCE) was launched on 16 March 2009. It used ion propulsion throughout its twenty-month mission to combat the air-drag it experienced in its low orbit (altitude of 255 kilometres) before intentionally deorbiting on 11 November 2013.