Mars In 30 Days? Russian Scientists Develop High-Speed Plasma Rocket
A team of experts in Russia developed a new type of plasma electric engine that could reduce the travel time to just 30 to 60 days.
For years, scientists have aspired to reach Mars, but the lengthy travel time has remained a significant obstacle. Currently, a journey to the Red Planet takes nearly a year. However, experts at Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, have developed a groundbreaking plasma electric engine that could cut this time down to just 30 to 60 days.
Designed by scientists at Rosatom’s Troitsk Institute, the engine utilizes a magnetoplasma system capable of accelerating particles to speeds of 100 km/s. Researchers believe this technology could not only revolutionise Mars travel but also enable spacecraft to venture far beyond our solar system, unlocking new frontiers in space exploration.
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In an interview with the local news outlet Izvestia, junior researcher Egor Biriulin explained, “A plasma rocket engine is a type of electric propulsion system. It operates using two electrodes, between which charged particles pass while a high voltage is applied. This process generates a magnetic field that propels the particles out of the engine, creating directed motion and producing thrust."
Egor explained that the engine works by using electric energy and hydrogen. A nuclear reactor inside the spacecraft will provide the necessary power. Hydrogen is a good choice because it is light and moves quickly, allowing the engine to reach high speeds without using too much fuel. Another advantage is that hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. This means that in the future, astronauts may be able to collect more hydrogen during their journey instead of carrying large amounts from Earth.
🚀 #Rosatom developed a plasma rocket engine prototype for faster space travel💨 Projected speed: 360'000 km/h
To put things into perspective, with this tech #Gagarin would’ve orbited Earth in ~7 mins
Wanna get to Mars in 1 month instead of 1 year? Rosatom’s got your back! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Jvvis0N6f9
— Russia 🇷🇺 (@Russia) February 20, 2025
As per Konstantin Gutorov, the project’s scientific adviser, “A prototype engine has now been prepared. It is intended for ground testing and development of various engine operating modes. According to the plan, the flight model of the unit will appear in 2030. The engine operates in pulse-periodic mode. Its power is about 300 kW. Earlier, the engine resource of more than 2400 h was justified, which is enough for a transportation operation to Mars. The main goal of the project is to demonstrate the operation of the prototype in pulse-periodic mode."
Alexei Voronov explained the difference between traditional engines and the new ones. In regular engines, fuel burns in a way that limits the speed to around 4.5 km per second. The new engine works differently. Instead of burning fuel, it uses charged particles that are sped up using an electromagnetic field. This method allows the spacecraft to reach much higher speeds than before.
More research is needed before this technology can be used. At the same time, Italy and the European Union are also working on similar systems.
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