I'll never complain about long maneuvers anymore

[VaPaL]

Ok, first I know that IRL burns take are a lot longer than in KSP, Juno with its 35min burn is an exemple. BUT, today I read this:
 

Quote

The first Advanced Extreme High Frequency satellite launched in 2010 could not use its BT-4 main engine after arriving in its transfer orbit because of a clogged propellant line – likely the result of a piece of cloth inadvertently left in the line. Luckily, the $1 billion satellite was fitted with an electric propulsion system that was re-purposed for orbit raising and successfully lifted the spacecraft to its operational location after over 500 maneuvers and 14 months.

500 maneuvers and 14 months!!!!

It was due to a problem and was an emergencial solution and all, but still... that's a long long time and a lot of maneuvers. It was to raise the sat to GEO btw.

OBS: not sure if this is should be posted here or on the lounge, it's about spaceflight but it's just an informal talk... anyway...

[softweir]

This is exactly the right place to talk about it!

And yeah, real-life burns take a lot longer than KSP burns, especially ion-drive burns which in KSP have been made very overpowered compared to real life to reduce frustration.

[VaPaL]

Yeah, I've heard that the thrust of an ion engine is comparable to the weight of an A4 paper sheet. To make things even 'worse' this was a HUGE satellite, the ion engine was probably for station keeping only, meking it's TWR absurdly low.