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Crazy Engineering: Ion Propulsion for the Dawn Mission

3 minutes 30 seconds

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Ion propulsion might sound like science fiction, but engineers at NASA are using it to drive NASA’s "Dawn" spacecraft through the solar system. Learn how ion propulsion works and why it is the reason "Dawn" will be the first spacecraft ever to orbit two solar system bodies beyond Earth. Part of the “Crazy Engineering” series.

Media Details

Runtime: 3 minutes 30 seconds

A hexagonal space craft with three much larger wings equally spaced around the hexagonal base flying in space with the planet Jupiter in the distant background. Caption: Juno's going to Jupiter to learn about how it was formed.
Crazy Engineering
Episode 1
3 minutes 17 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A roughly rectangular space craft with two solar wings approaches a much larger round spacecraft surrounded in petal-like protrusions. Caption: The one in space will be tens of meters.
Crazy Engineering
Episode 2
4 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A rectangular space craft with a large, flat round disc pointed towards the planet earth, visible in the background. Caption: We've launched hundreds into low Earth orbit for years.
Crazy Engineering
Episode 3
2 minutes 48 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A person crouching in front of a vertical panel. A device is adhered to the panel. Caption:  Real Time. We have electrostatic grippers,
Crazy Engineering
Episode 4
3 minutes 51 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A cylindrical space craft with two solar wings and two rods capped in spheres protruding from it in relief over the planet Earth and space. Caption: The Hubble Telescope is made of several different instruments.
Crazy Engineering
Episode 5
3 minutes 8 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A roughly cube shaped space craft with a communications dish and two large rectangular solar panels flying through space. Caption: It wouldn't be possible without ion propulsion.
Crazy Engineering
Episode 6
3 minutes 30 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A cube shaped space craft on a tripod of legs and four rotor-like wings on top sitting on the surface of a barren planet. Caption:  5 Survive Mars Environment. "And it has to survive the harsh environment of Mars."
Crazy Engineering
Episode 7
2 minutes 59 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A cylindrical space craft with equipment and antennas protruding from it in relief against a large grayish-brown planet with rings in the background. Caption: We'll shoot between Saturn and its rings.
Crazy Engineering
Episode 8
3 minutes 51 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12