Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
New Russian Plasma Engine Promises to Accelerate Space Travel and Reduce Time to Mars from 8 Months to 1. Prototype Has Already Been Tested and Uses Technology Based on Electrically Charged Particles.
A trip to Mars could stop being an eight-month saga and turn into a round trip in 30 days. At least that’s what the new plasma engine developed by Russian scientists promises. With it, interplanetary missions could become faster, safer, and even cheaper.
Presented by researchers linked to the Russian state-owned Rosatom, the engine has already passed the initial laboratory tests and has caught attention for an impressive detail: speed. It can reach up to 360,000 km/h, thanks to the acceleration of electrically charged particles in electromagnetic fields.
How Does This Plasma Engine Work?
Unlike traditional rocket engines, which burn fuel to generate thrust, the plasma engine uses magnetic fields to accelerate particles of ionized gas — in other words, plasma. This generates a continuous force that propels the spacecraft with high efficiency, consuming less fuel and producing less heat.
-
Historic bankruptcy of Centauro shocks the market, and the century-old company puts more than 500,000 products, machines, and complete infrastructure up for online auction.
-
New shoe factory in Ceará is expected to create 400 jobs and strengthen the local economy.
-
No one imagined it, but a mixture of sawdust with a mineral that fights fires surprises scientists with a result that changes the course of fire-resistant construction.
-
From empty land to a high-end house, wooden construction uses a lightweight system, metal structure for the foundation, ventilated ceramic cladding, and special windows to create an efficient and comfortable living space throughout the year.
The Russian prototype operates with an average power of 300 kW and has hydrogen as its main fuel, which is light and abundant. This type of engine has been studied by several agencies, such as NASA and ESA, but the Russians have taken the lead by presenting a high-power functional model.
From 8 Months to 30 Days to Mars
Currently, missions to Mars take between 7 to 9 months, depending on the positions of the planets. With the plasma engine, this time could drop to just 30 to 60 days, according to Russian engineers.
Besides speed, another important point is safety. With shorter journeys, astronauts are less exposed to cosmic radiation and the effects of prolonged microgravity — two of the biggest challenges in long missions.
What Still Needs to Be Done for the Launch?
Despite the optimism, the plasma engine is still in the experimental stage. The next step is to integrate this type of propulsion with a power generation system strong enough to keep it running during long journeys. The bet? Small space nuclear reactors.
Rosatom, which leads the project, already has experience with nuclear energy and is expected to conduct more advanced tests in the coming years. If all goes well, the engine could be used in uncrewed missions within this decade — and who knows, on crewed spacecraft as early as the 2030s.
Why This Engine Could Change Everything
The plasma engine is not just a futuristic idea: it could be the turning point to make the exploration of the solar system feasible. Lower fuel consumption, shorter travel time, lower cost — all of this adds up when it comes to sending humans to distant planets.
This technology could pave the way for journeys beyond Mars. Imagine crossing the solar system with realistic timelines, or sending probes that reach asteroids, moons, or even gas giants more efficiently.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!