Produced by: Manoj Kumar
A Russian plasma engine could cut Mars travel to 30 days, offering continuous thrust for deep-space travel.
Using lightweight hydrogen fuel, the engine achieves faster speeds with less wear and tear on components.
Unlike rockets, this engine steadily accelerates, reducing cosmic radiation exposure for astronauts.
The 300 kW prototype has run for 2,400 hours in a vacuum chamber, simulating space conditions.
This engine won’t replace rockets but will transport cargo and spacecraft between planetary orbits.
Claiming speeds of 100 km/s, it surpasses current ion thrusters, which max out at 50 km/s.
Representative pic
Developers aim to produce a space-ready engine by 2030, though challenges remain.
The engine likely requires nuclear power, adding complexity to future missions.
No peer-reviewed studies confirm the engine’s capabilities yet, leaving room for skepticism.