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