JPL team ignites lithium-fed electric thruster at 120 kilowatts for Mars missions
Updated
Updated · Space War · Apr 28
JPL team ignites lithium-fed electric thruster at 120 kilowatts for Mars missions
6 articles · Updated · Space War · Apr 28
The prototype thruster was tested five times on Feb. 24 inside JPL's CoMeT vacuum facility, reaching U.S.-record power levels and glowing at over 5,000°F.
The magnetoplasmadynamic thruster achieved more than 25 times the output of NASA's Psyche mission and is being developed with Princeton University and NASA Glenn, aiming for megawatt-class operation.
Funded by NASA's Space Nuclear Propulsion project, the technology could reduce launch mass and enable large payloads for crewed Mars missions, with further high-power tests planned to address long-duration operational challenges.
How does NASA's nuclear thruster compare to rival projects from other space powers?
Can this powerful new thruster actually survive the thousands of hours needed for a Mars journey?
Why is lithium the key propellant unlocking this new era of powerful space travel?
What is the biggest hurdle in developing the space-based nuclear power plant for this thruster?
How will NASA's new nuclear rockets be made safe for launch and operation in space?
With this breakthrough, what is the new, realistic timeline for a crewed mission to Mars?