[sankhao]

Ion drives do not escape the rocket equation, they simply have a higher Isp.

[taneq]

They do if the ions you’re using are collected from the atmosphere around you rather than coming from a tank on your vehicle.

[JumpCrisscross]

> do if the ions you’re using are collected from the atmosphere around you rather than coming from a tank on your vehicle

This [1] looks like a plasma propulsion engine [2]. They'd need to carry propellant. That said, they're pre-staging, so the traditional rocket equation doesn't apply.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uTfrXf_WHEY

[2] https://web.archive.org/web/20161018201525/http://alfven.pri...