Rosatom scientists have made a major breakthrough in space exploration with the development of a prototype plasma engine that could drastically reduce travel time to Mars. This innovative propulsion system would shorten the duration of manned missions to just 30-60 days, compared to the nearly 12 months required by conventional chemical engines.
From Earth to Mars in 30 days
The plasma engine developed by Rosatom is based on a magnetic plasma accelerator with a thrust capacity of at least 6 N and a specific impulse exceeding 100 km/s. Its operation in pulse-periodic mode reaches an average power of 300 kW, which allows optimizing fuel use and significantly reducing its consumption.
According to Alexey Voronov, First Deputy Director General for Science at the Rosatom Research Institute in Troitsk, the creation of the prototype represents a key step in the implementation of space nuclear tugs, devices that would facilitate interplanetary exploration and reduce operational costs in long-range missions.
Advantages of the plasma engine over conventional systems
The development of this plasma engine represents a breakthrough in space propulsion technology. Its main advantages include:
- Greater fuel efficiency : The system makes it possible to minimize the amount of fuel needed for missions.
- Speeds unattainable with chemical engines : Thanks to its magnetic plasma accelerator, a ship equipped with this engine could move at a speed greater than that of current systems.
- Reducing exposure time to cosmic radiation : Shortening the duration of space missions reduces the risks for astronauts, who would be exposed to radiation for less time.
- Possibility of integrating nuclear technology in the future : The plasma engine could be key to propulsion systems based on nuclear reactors, which would allow the autonomy of ships to be further improved.
Closer to colonizing the planet Mars
This development is part of the comprehensive nuclear science and technology program in Russia, which in 2025 was incorporated into the national technological leadership project ” New Nuclear and Energy Technologies “. The ambition of this plan is to position Russia as a leader in space exploration by applying innovative technologies in advanced propulsion engines .
The next step will be to evaluate the engine’s performance in more rigorous laboratory tests and determine its viability for future manned missions. If proven effective, this system could transform the way space travel is conducted, allowing humanity to move closer than ever to colonizing Mars and other planets in the solar system.
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Source and photo: Rosatom
