/sci/ - Science & Math

How will AI impact the field of rocketry over the next decade? Will AI accelerate the rate of advancement in design/construction to the point where rockets like Starship are rendered obsolete by 2030?

I've heard a few times now that ion thrusters have improved significantly in the past few decades, but I've yet to see any spacecraft that use any kind of improved thrusters in any meaningful way. It could be that I've just failed to notice them, but what makes newer ion thrusters any better than the older ones? Are they more efficient, do they provide more thrust, or is there no actual significant change?