Scientists at Russia’s state nuclear corporation “Rosatom” have recently developed a plasma engine prototype for deep space travel, which could make it possible to reach Mars in 30 to 60 days, the journey originally took one year, according to Rosatom’s research institute in Troitsk.
The engine, which uses electrically accelerated plasma instead of chemical combustion, has been tested in a laboratory and produces about 6 Newtons of thrust, according to Alexey Voronov, First Deputy Director General for Science at Rosatom’s institute.
The engine operates at 300 kilowatts in pulsed mode and accelerates charged particles to around 100 km/s, offering a specific impulse far higher than chemical rockets.
It uses hydrogen as a propellant, which is ionized into plasma and accelerated using electromagnetic fields.
Rosatom aims to develop a flight-ready version by 2030. The prototype is being tested in a vacuum chamber simulating space conditions, but significant challenges remain, including integrating a nuclear reactor for power and managing thermal loads.
Other space agencies, including NASA, are also exploring advanced propulsion systems to enable faster inter-planet travel.