Idea... an Ion Spaceplane for low Gravity Atmospheric planets.

[Silvermane]

This is just an idea I had while driving my slow rover around Duna. Would it be possible to design a Spaceplane that doesn't need to be refueled, by using Ion engines? Could such a design even fly in said planets?

A simple design I threw together reached 20 m/s on Kerbin

[DisarmingBaton5]

You can build an ion-powered airplane on Kerbin, if you feel so inclined. There are quite a few solar versions around.

Getting it to another planet should be easy.

[AustralianFries]

I've seen quite a few SSTO's using Ion engines.

[stupid_chris]

Actually I think this would be most advantageous on Eve. Being closer to the sun gives more power from the solar panels, and the ultra thick atmosphere gives a boost to lift, so you require less speed to take off. It would probably save a bunch of delta V to orbit.