Star Trek-inspired plane powered by ‘IONIC WINDS’ unveiled

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US have begun testing a working model of an ‘ion propulsion’ system. The prototype has a five metre wingspan, and has the ability to fly without propellers. The futuristic craft instead emits an “ionic wind” which collides with electrically charged air molecules, allowing it to fly.

Experts say it could be the future of air travel as the plane is battery-less, noiseless and most importantly is in no way bad for the environment.

Tests have only just start on a smaller unmanned craft, but the hope is that this is the start of something special.

Lead researcher Dr Steven Barrett said: “This is the first-ever sustained flight of a plane with no moving parts in the propulsion system.

“This has potentially opened new and unexplored possibilities for aircraft which are quieter, mechanically simpler, and do not emit combustion emissions.

“They should be more like the shuttles in Star Trek that have just a blue glow and silently glide.”

According to the research published in the scientific journal Nature, the aircraft is fitted with many thin wires which are placed beneath the front end of its wings.

All of the wires carry a positive charge of 20,000 volts which strip electrons from air molecules.

This produces a rush towards negatively charged wires at the back of the plane.

The ions collide millions of times with the air molecules as they travel from the front to the back of the wings, giving the ability of flight.

The main challenge facing the team now is designing a smaller battery which can produce more ionic winds with a lesser voltage.

Dr Barrett added: “It took a long time to get here. Going from the basic principle to something that actually flies was a long journey of characterising the physics, then coming up with the design and making it work.

“Now the possibilities for this kind of propulsion system are viable.”