The Astral Ion Drive was a high performance Ion Engine, that was usually equipped with Ion Boosters. The engine was designed by Eruk Byssta in conjunction with the Remsian Republic Military Research and Development Division. The engine, operated in a manner that pushed highly concentrated streams of ions out to propel the ship, resulting in powerful thrust, but a higher than average power cost. Larger version of the Drive, designed for capital ships, were called QuantumMass Ion Drives powerful engines, but still usually called Astral Ion Drives.