Ariel - the background

[Reliant121]

Okay, i have been mulling over how my vessels fly in space. As far as I have got it in my head, plasma stream engines used in STL mimick Ion engines, only the electrical charge is created by a reaction of plasma (I dont really know what kind of reaction, it isnt that important). This poses an issue...Can Ion engines work in atmosphere? Or would it require some other form of generation? I know that Ion engines as we have them now are virtually useless for exit of the atmosphere because they lack thrust. So does that mean another form of drive would have to be used for exiting atmosphere? I was thinking that the plasma stream engine could switch to a different mode, where gaseous plasma is vented straight out of the exhausts like a jet engine, instead of being used to generate an electrical charge. Thoughts anyone?