Russian scientists have tested a plasma engine that could shorten a trip to Mars by 30 days

Russia is quietly testing a new plasma propulsion system that, if it works as claimed, could dramatically change how long it takes to travel to Mars. Preliminary results suggest a leap in speed and efficiency that has attracted attention because it is not coming from private American companies like NASA or SpaceX.

The engine is being developed by the Troisk Institute, part of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. According to researchers involved in the program, the system could cut interplanetary travel times from several months to about one to two months. Ground-based testing is currently underway, and developers say the technology could be ready for space deployment by around 2030.

A different approach to space propulsion

Unlike traditional chemical rockets, the new system relies on electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged hydrogen particles. This puts it firmly in the category of electric or plasma propulsion, an area that has received increasing global attention as space agencies seek more efficient ways to travel deeper into the solar system.

Chemical rockets provide very high thrust for a short time, which is ideal for launching from Earth. However, once spacecraft are in orbit they are unable to travel long distances. In contrast, plasma engines generate much less thrust but can operate continuously for long periods of time, building up very high speeds gradually while using much less propellant.

If the Russian system achieves its predicted performance, it could have a major impact on how future missions to Mars and beyond are planned, for scientific exploration and possible military or logistical applications.

Test conditions and initial performance claims

The prototype engine is currently being tested inside a 14-meter-long vacuum chamber designed to simulate space conditions. According to technical details reported by the Russian newspaper Izvestia, the engine operates in a pulse periodic mode at a power level of 300 kW and has already demonstrated a working life of 2,400 hours. That duration would be enough for a full Mars mission, including acceleration and deceleration phases.

The researchers say the engine accelerates charged hydrogen particles, protons and electrons, to speeds of up to 100 kilometers per second. By comparison, conventional chemical rockets typically achieve an exit velocity of about 4.5 kilometers per second. This large difference in exhaust velocity is key to the engine’s potential efficiency and speed.

How the system will be used in space

Plasma engines are not intended to be launched directly from the Earth’s surface. A conventional chemical rocket would first carry the spacecraft into low Earth orbit. Once in space, the plasma engine will be activated to provide continuous thrust for travel through deep space.

Officials involved in the project also note that the system could act as a space tug, carrying cargo, modules, or satellites between orbits of different planets. This concept is aligned with the widespread international interest in reusable orbital transportation systems.

Nuclear Power and Engineering Challenges

The engine uses hydrogen as a propellant and relies on an onboard nuclear reactor to provide a continuous energy supply. According to project researcher Yegor Birulin, hydrogen’s low atomic mass allows for faster acceleration while reducing fuel consumption. Its abundance in space could eventually allow for in situ refueling, at least in theory.

The propulsion system uses two high-voltage electrodes to create a directed plasma flow. Charged particles pass between them, creating a magnetic field that expels the plasma and generates thrust. This design avoids the need to heat the plasma to extreme temperatures, which reduces component wear and improves overall efficiency.

The Rosatom document lists the estimated thrust at 6 newtons, which is high for a plasma propulsion prototype. Still, the thrust remains much lower than that of a chemical rocket, meaning the spacecraft will be designed for slow but continuous acceleration rather than short bursts of power.

References and open questions

Plasma propulsion is already used in orbit on several satellites, including the OneWeb spacecraft and NASA’s Psyche mission, which is slated to launch in 2023. Most existing plasma engines operate at exhaust velocities between 30 and 50 kilometers per second. The Russian claim of 100 kilometers per second would represent a significant step forward.

However, the technology remains unproven in space. Peer-reviewed scientific data has not yet been published, and the nuclear reactor design has not been disclosed. Nuclear-powered spacecraft raise complex safety, regulatory, and international acceptance issues, especially during launch.

Although the concept is promising, the engine is still years away from practical use. Its projected readiness by 2030 will depend on continued testing, funding, and the successful resolution of engineering and regulatory challenges.

This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.