The main reasons ion drive doesn't work in an atmosphere is the low thrust not overcoming air resistance and gravity. If you've ever seen a down high tension power line jumping around you'd not doubt the power of ions or EMF in high power outputs. And lightning has a lot of force provided it is not conducted away. As with all engines it is a question of thrust verses mass, inertia, entropy and so on. The output overcomes those and the engine moves. Enough excess output and the engine can carry something other than it's own wieght.
Topic: ION propulsion becoming more powerful! (Read 4566 times)