ESA Portal - Celebrating 10 years of Artemis - Ion Drive

The Artemis telecommunications satellite was the first ESA satellite to fly electric propulsion technology operationally.

Shown is the Engineering Model of the Radio Frequency Ion Thruster (RIT), built by DASA, which uses xenon propellant for controlling Artemis' north-south positioning in geostationary orbit.

Artemis also carries a pair of Electro-bombardment Ion Thrusters (EITs), from Matra Marconi Space.

Credits: DASA