Anna Hartz
Missions to Mars remain one of the biggest goals for space agencies around the world, but long travel times and huge fuel demands continue to be major challenges.
For years, scientists have searched for faster and more efficient ways to travel through space. Now NASA believes a new type of electric engine could help solve part of that problem.
25 times stronger
Researchers recently tested an advanced electric propulsion system that reached a record-breaking power level of 120 kilowatts, according to WP. According to scientists, this makes the engine far more powerful than current systems already being used in space missions.
The new engine is around 25 times stronger than the propulsion system used on NASA’s Psyche spacecraft. Engineers believe this technology could play an important role in future crewed missions to Mars and possibly even deeper space exploration.
Unlike traditional chemical rockets, electric propulsion systems use much less fuel. Instead of creating one huge burst of power, these engines slowly and continuously accelerate spacecraft over long periods of time. That approach may sound less dramatic, but it can eventually push spacecraft to extremely high speeds.
The engine tested by NASA uses lithium vapor as fuel. Scientists say this method could be more efficient than older ion engines that rely on xenon gas.
Current electric propulsion technology has already shown impressive results. NASA’s Psyche probe is expected to eventually reach speeds close to 200,000 kilometers per hour. Researchers now hope the newer and more powerful engine could shorten travel times to Mars in the future.
Very high temperature tolerance
NASA estimates that a crewed mission to Mars would require propulsion systems producing between 2 and 4 megawatts of power. Multiple engines would need to operate continuously for more than 23,000 hours. That equals roughly two and a half years of nonstop operation.
During recent testing, the new engines survived temperatures above 2,800 degrees Celsius. Scientists see that as an important step toward proving the technology can handle the harsh conditions of space travel.
A mission to Mars is still a difficult and lengthy project. Launch opportunities only happen about every two years because of the positions of Earth and Mars. Current mission plans estimate astronauts would spend six to nine months traveling to Mars, around 18 months on the planet, and several more months returning home.
Researchers believe better electric propulsion could eventually make those journeys faster, cheaper, and more practical for future human exploration.
