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3d_blunder t1_j1rfhhc wrote

All rocket engines work in atmosphere and vacuum.

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Science-Compliance t1_j1rhf68 wrote

Eh, not really. A lot of electric rockets (aka ion) produce so little thrust, that they effectively don't work in atmosphere.

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HervG t1_j1ridkk wrote

Something not working effectively is still working. You know like most people

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Science-Compliance t1_j1rk2l3 wrote

Maybe I didn't explain well enough. Ion engines produce thrust equivalent to the weight of a piece of paper. The lightest breeze would render your engine unusable, or the slightest amount of drag assuming still air. Even in perfectly still air, you would never get anywhere because drag is proportional to the square of velocity, so your top speed would make walking a much more attractive option.

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