Ion Drive Thruster

Ok, so not an actual ION drive, but a thruster based on the “lifter effect”

The rough idea is you have a grid of spikes, or in this case some thin wire, acting as a corona wire. In front of this is an array of flat, wide earthed electrodes. The electrons are accelerated from the points or wires towards the earthed electrodes. As this is in atmosphere, the air is dragged along with the ion flow, causing a noticeable “wind”

Frame for the thruster

Earthed electrodes in front of the corona wires. This assembly is arranged so the gap between the wires and these electrodes can be adjusted by sliding them in and out.

Built Thruster on stand. 40Kv to the corona Wires

Corona Wires

Thrust indicator fan.

Thruster and fan setup.

Video of thruster running. Plus Corona on the wires.