" Innovative space transportation systems now in development by NASA and its partners promise a new era of scientific discovery in space. But the struggle to unlock the secrets of our solar system presents unique new challenges. Central among them: faster access throughout the solar system, and the ability to rendezvous with, orbit and conduct in situ exploration of planets, satellites and other solar system bodies.
These are the missions of NASA’s In-Space Propulsion program: to enable science at new destinations; to significantly reduce the time and cost required for spacecraft to reach their destinations; and to allow mission planners to shift their focus from the difficulty of the journey to the science challenges at the destination..." more

" The Xenon ion propulsion system, or XIPS (pronounced "zips"), is the culmination of nearly four decades of research into the use of electric propulsion as an alternative to conventional chemical propulsion. Available on the Boeing 601HP, or high power, and Boeing 702 satellite models, the increased efficiency possible with XIPS allows for a reduction in propellant mass of up to 90% for a satellite designed for 12 to 15 years operation. Less propellant results in reduced cost for launch, an increase in payload, or an increase in satellite lifetime, or any combination of the above... " more or go to NSTAR ion engine - Boeing 601 HP - Boeing 702

" The Electric Propulsion and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory (EPPDyL) was founded in 1961 by Robert G. Jahn, Professor of Aerospace Sciences at Princeton University. It is presently managed by Prof. Edgar Choueiri. EPPDyL has been at the forefront of research in the physics and application of plasma thrusters for spacecraft propulsion for more than three decades and is recently involved in active space experiments. A plasma thruster is an electric rocket that accelerates a plasma to velocities of tens of kilometers per second making it a propulsion option that is well suited for energetic deep-space missions as well as attitude control and orbit raising for near-Earth spacecraft..." more or projects

" The Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL) at the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering : The lab was founded in 1992 under the direction of Associate Professor Alec Gallimore and since that time has been embarked on an experimental and theoretical program with the following goals: 1) To make electric propulsion (EP) devices more efficient and of better performance; 2) To understand spacecraft integration issues which could impede the widespread use of these devices on scientific, commercial, and military spacecraft; and 3) To identify non-propulsion applications of EP systems (e.g., plasma processing, space-plasma simulation)..." more

" Stanford Plasma Dynamics Laboratory : the purpose of this site is to promote communication and discussion in the wide variety of plasma research currently being performed at the Stanford Plasma Dynamics Laboratory and in other laboratories around the world..." more

" The Revolutionary Aeropropulsion Concepts project (RAC) is primarily directed towards the NASA Office of Aerospace Technology (OAT) Goal "Pioneer Technology Innovation". RAC also supports the goals of "Revolutionize Aviation " and "Advance Space Transportation "... more or propulsion & power program - Glen projects database

" Lightcraft Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Bennington, VT, is launching a revolution in low-cost access to space, promoting the use of beamed energy propulsion to accelerate vehicles called Lightcraft into orbit for a fraction of the cost it currently takes to get any object into space..." more