In its most common incarnation, the ion engine gets its electric power from photovoltaic panels.It is a squat cylinder, not much larger than a bucket, that is set astern.

• 最常见的离子引擎设计中，电力来自捲曲成圆柱形、体积比水桶大不了多少的光电板，通常装置在太空船尾部。