NASA Tests 120-Kilowatt Mars Thruster, 25 Times More Powerful Than Psyche's
Updated
Updated · New Atlas · May 13
NASA Tests 120-Kilowatt Mars Thruster, 25 Times More Powerful Than Psyche's
2 articles · Updated · New Atlas · May 13
120 kilowatts was the peak output NASA recorded after firing its experimental lithium-fed MPD thruster five times in a JPL vacuum chamber on Feb. 24, marking the first U.S. electric propulsion test at that power level.
The engine is aimed at cutting crewed Mars travel time because electric propulsion uses about 90% less propellant than chemical rockets, and a nuclear-electric setup could deliver higher speeds with less mass.
MPD thrusters have not flown operationally because their huge power demands rule out solar arrays; NASA says this design could eventually reach 1 megawatt, while a human Mars mission may need 2 to 4 megawatts.
Key hurdles now are sustaining hardware above 2,800C for long periods and limiting electrode erosion, but NASA says the test cleared the first major milestone after two years of design and construction.
NASA's new engine is a breakthrough, but how far off is the nuclear reactor technology needed to actually power it?
After 60 years of research, has NASA finally solved the critical erosion flaw in its powerful new Mars thruster?
Is a faster trip to Mars the best way to protect astronauts, or do bigger challenges like cosmic radiation remain unsolved?
Powering the Path to Mars: NASA’s 120-Kilowatt Lithium-Fed MPD Thruster Milestone and Its Implications
Overview
NASA has achieved a major milestone by successfully testing a 120-kilowatt lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster at JPL, setting a new record for electric propulsion power. This breakthrough is the result of over two years of collaborative work between JPL, Princeton University, and NASA's Glenn Research Center, combining their expertise to advance propulsion technology. The test marks a crucial step toward enabling future deep-space missions, especially human exploration of Mars, which will require multiple MPD thrusters operating continuously at megawatt-class power levels for extended periods. This progress demonstrates the growing viability of electric propulsion for ambitious space missions.