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. Early results suggest a leap in speed and efficiency that has attracted attention precisely because it does not come from NASA or private American companies like SpaceX.
The engine is being developed by the Troitsk Institute, part of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. According to the researchers involved in the program, the system could reduce interplanetary travel time from several months to approximately one to two months. Ground-based testing is currently underway, and developers say the technology could be ready for deployment in space by around 2030.
A Different Approach to Space Propulsion
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Unlike conventional chemical rockets, the new system relies on electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged hydrogen particles. This puts it squarely in the category of electric or plasma propulsion, an area that has gained increasing global attention as space agencies seek more efficient ways to travel deeper into the solar system.
Chemical rockets give very high thrust for a short time, which is ideal for launching from Earth. However, they are inefficient for long distance travel once a spacecraft is in orbit. Plasma engines, by contrast, generate much lower thrust but can operate continuously for long periods, gradually building extremely high speeds while using much less propellant.
If the Russian system achieves its projected performance, it could have a major impact on how future missions to Mars and beyond are planned, both for scientific exploration and for potential military or logistical applications.
Testing Conditions and Early Performance Requests
The prototype engine is currently being tested inside a 14 meter long vacuum chamber designed to simulate the conditions of space. According to technical details reported by the Russian newspaper Izvestia, the machine operates at a power level of 300 kilowatts in periodic pulsed mode and has already demonstrated a working life of 2,400 hours. That duration would be sufficient for an entire Mars mission, including the acceleration and deceleration phases.
The researchers say the engine accelerates charged hydrogen particles, including protons and electrons, to speeds of up to 100 kilometers per second. In comparison, traditional chemical rockets typically achieve exhaust velocities of about 4.5 kilometers per second. This huge difference in exhaust velocity is the key to the engine’s efficiency and potential speed.
How The System Is Used In Space
The plasma engine is not intended to be launched directly from the Earth’s surface. A conventional chemical rocket first carries the spacecraft into low Earth orbit. Once in space, the plasma engine is activated to provide continuous thrust for the journey through deep space.
Officials involved in the project also note that the system can work as a space tug, moving cargo, modules, or satellites between different planetary orbits. This concept aligns with wider international interest in reusable orbital transport systems.
Nuclear Energy and Engineering Challenges
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The engine uses hydrogen as a propellant and relies on an on-board nuclear reactor to provide a constant supply of energy. According to project researcher Yegor Biryulin, hydrogen’s low atomic mass allows faster acceleration while reducing fuel consumption. Its abundance in space could eventually allow in situ refueling, at least in theory.
The propulsion system uses two high voltage electrodes to create a direct plasma flow. Charged particles pass between them, forming a magnetic field that repels 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.
Rosatom’s documentation lists the projected thrust at 6 newtons, which is high for a plasma propulsion prototype. Even so, the thrust remains much lower than chemical rockets, meaning the spacecraft would be designed for slow but continuous acceleration rather than short bursts of power.
Context and Open Questions
Plasma propulsion is already used in orbit on many satellites, including systems on OneWeb spacecraft and on NASA’s Psyche mission launched in 2023. Most existing plasma engines operate at exhaust velocities between 30 and 50 kilometers per second. Russian claims of 100 kilometers per second would represent a significant step forward.
However, the technology is still unproven in space. Peer-reviewed scientific data has not yet been published, and the design of the nuclear reactor has not been disclosed. Nuclear powered spacecraft raise complex safety, regulatory and international approval issues, especially during launch.
While the concept is promising, the machine is still years away from practical use. Its projected readiness by 2030 will depend on continued testing, funding, and successful resolution of engineering and regulatory challenges.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission from Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.