Russia's new plasma engine may speed up Mars missions

Russia may have just taken a giant leap toward revolutionizing space travel, with its state-run atomic energy corporation developing a groundbreaking plasma electric rocket engine. 

The development of a plasma electric rocket engine may reduce travel time to Mars from over a year to just 30 to 60 days. This game-changing propulsion system, which utilizes a magnetic plasma accelerator, is designed to shorten the journey to the Red Planet, a feat that has long been limited by existing propulsion technologies.

Mars, located about 140 million miles from Earth, would require a spacecraft to travel at an average speed of 195,000 miles per hour to reach in just 30 days. A faster journey would not only improve efficiency but also reduce astronauts' exposure to the harmful effects of cosmic radiation.

The plasma engine works by accelerating charged particles between two electrodes under high voltage. The interaction between the electric current and the generated magnetic field expels the particles, producing continuous thrust. With a power output of 300 kW, the engine is capable of achieving significantly higher speeds than traditional rocket propulsion systems.

Egor Biriulin, a junior researcher at Rosatom’s scientific institute, explained, “A plasma rocket motor is a type of electric motor. It is based on two electrodes. Charged particles are passed between them, and at the same time a high voltage is applied to the electrodes. As a result, the current creates a magnetic field that pushes the particles out of the engine. Thus, the plasma receives directional motion and creates thrust.”

The engine is powered by hydrogen and operates without the need for extreme temperatures, reducing the risk of overheating. With an expected thrust of around 6 Newtons, the plasma engine is far more powerful than current propulsion systems, providing smoother acceleration and deceleration for interplanetary travel.

Rosatom's team has developed a prototype of the engine at its Troitsk Institute, where it is undergoing ground tests. Scientists have created a specialized chamber, 4 meters by 14 meters in size, to replicate the conditions of space. This setup, equipped with advanced sensors, vacuum pumps, and heat management systems, will help refine the technology and assess the project's scale and potential costs. The team plans to have a flight model ready by 2030.

The initial phase of the mission will involve using traditional chemical rocket technology to launch the spacecraft into orbit. Once in the desired orbit, the plasma engine will be activated. If successful, this technology could enhance the efficiency of future space missions, opening up new possibilities for faster travel across the solar system.

Russia is not the only country exploring alternative propulsion systems. Researchers in Italy, led by the University of Bologna, are investigating a propulsion system that uses water as fuel to make space travel more sustainable. Their Water-based Electric Thrusters (WET) technology aims to convert water into plasma to generate thrust, potentially enabling in-space refueling. By using water instead of conventional fuel, this system could reduce the need for carrying large amounts of fuel, making long-distance missions more feasible and environmentally friendly.

Additionally, the European Union is investing in electric nuclear propulsion (NEP) technology, which uses a nuclear reactor to power electric ion thrusters. This project, known as RocketRoll, is exploring the potential of ionizing a gas and accelerating the ions to generate thrust, which could further revolutionize space travel.

As global interest in alternative propulsion technologies continues to grow, Russia’s plasma engine and similar projects abroad could pave the way for more sustainable and efficient space exploration in the future.

By Naila Huseynova