NASA Thruster Test Could Slash Travel Time to Mars
The prototype reached 120 kilowatts, more than 25 times the power of the engines now flying on the Psyche spacecraft, researchers said.
- On Aug 10, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory successfully tested a new lithium-fed electromagnetic thruster, achieving power levels exceeding any previous United States electric propulsion test.
- This experimental magnetoplasmadynamic thruster utilizes lithium metal vapor to generate greater thrust than current electric propulsion systems, using strong electrical currents and magnetic fields to accelerate plasma.
- During the test, the prototype reached 120 kilowatts—over 25 times the power of Psyche's thrusters—while the central electrode glowed bright white at over 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the success demonstrates "real progress toward sending an American astronaut to set foot on the Red Planet," positioning the technology as advancing human Mars exploration.
- Researchers now aim to scale power levels between 500 kilowatts and 1 megawatt per thruster in coming years, as crewed Mars missions could require multiple thrusters operating reliably for extended periods.
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NASA tests powerful new thruster that could get humans to Mars faster: Here's how it works
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , a high-powered lithium-fed thruster, which will likely be used in the near-future to propel astronauts to Mars more quickly, has recently undergone successful...
NASA just tested a powerful new thruster that could send humans to Mars
A powerful new electromagnetic thruster has taken a major step forward after a successful high-energy test at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Fueled by lithium vapor and driven by intense magnetic forces, the experimental engine reached record-breaking power levels—far beyond anything currently used in space. Glowing hotter than molten lava and firing inside a specialized vacuum chamber, the thruster hints at a future where spacecraft could tr…
In April 2026, the engineers of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) carried out the first successful firing test of a new electric plasma propellant powered by metallic lithium, confirms Numerama. The prototype reached a power of 120 kilowatts, a level never reached before for this type of engine, according to NASA. Five separate ignitions were carried out during these tests. On August 10, 2026, the official account of the Marshall Space Center,…
The American space agency has published impressive images of its lithium electromagnetic propellant. Combined with nuclear power, this futuristic engine promises to drastically reduce the travel time to Mars. Who wants to go far, cleans up his mount. And who wants to hope to go to Mars will probably have to count
Nasa carried out new tests of an experimental engine that could help reduce astronaut travel time to Mars. The technology uses lithium plasma and, combined in the future with a nuclear power source, can open the way for faster manned missions to the Red Planet. The tests were carried out by teams of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the American space agency and involved a magnetoplasmadynamic propellant, known as MPD. According to Nasa, th…
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